Constantine, the last king of Greece, who died Jan. 10 in Athens, once visited San Diego. In 1959, then-Crown Prince Constantine spent three days touring local military installations and the San Diego Zoo.
The 18-year-old heir to the Greek throne made an unexpected friend at the Zoo during his trip.
As he posed for a picture with Zoo Director Charles Schroeder and a sheep and a llama at the Children’s Zoo, 2-year-old Steven Smith, of La Mesa, ed the group. “Constantine hugged the boy and helped him pet the sheep,” the Union reported.
Constantine arrived by air at the North Island Naval Air Station on Feb. 4, 1959. His San Diego itinerary also included viewing flight training with jet aircraft from the carrier Lexington and swimming with of an Underwater Demolition Team, the forerunner to the Navy Seals.
From The San Diego Union, Saturday, Feb. 7, 1959:
GREEK ROYALTY LEAVES TODAY
Prince Caps Visit With Tour Of Zoo
By Joe Brooks
Crown Prince Constantine of Greece yesterday whisked through a busy final day in San Diego —visiting naval installations, the San Diego Zoo and Convair’s 880, and reviewing a parade of bluejackets.
The strapping 18-year-old heir to the Greek thrown also was tendered a luncheon and stag dinner by naval officers in the course of the day.
He will leave the North Island Naval air Station by car today for Los Angeles to continue his five-month tour of the United States.
Like almost any young visitor to the city, or almost anyone else for that matter, Constantine particularly enjoyed himself at the zoo during the early part of the afternoon.
He rode through the grounds with his party in a zoo station wagon, escorted by Dr. George Pournelle, curator of mammals, stopping occasionally to inspect exhibits which especially appealed to him.
Then he walked through the Children’s Zoo on foot, grinning at many of the animals and firing a barrage of questions at Pournelle and Dr. Charles Schroeder, zoo director.
As he posed for a picture with Schroeder, a llama and a sheep, an unscheduled guest ed the group in the person of 2-year-old Steven Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Smith of 4506 Conrad Dr., La Mesa. Constantine hugged the boy and helped him pet the sheep.
After leaving the zoo, the crown prince was driven to Lindbergh Field where he was shown Convair’s 880 jet airliner. than he was reviewing officer at the weekly brigade review of 2,500 Navy recruits at the naval Training Center.
Last night Constantine was guest in an informal stag dinner at in the Kona Kai club tendered by Cmdr. P.S. Terry, aide to Vice . Alfred M. Pride, commander of the Navy Pacific Fleet Air Force.
Yesterday morning the crown prince visited the Fleet Air Defense Training Center on Point Loma and the Fleet Sonar School.
During the day he wore the navy blue uniform of a Greek Navy sub-lieutenant.
