Was Princess Tatiana too down-to-earth for royal life? As Prince Nikalaos of Greece and his Venezuelan-born wife split, how she craved 'a simple life' following their lavish 'Mamma Mia, with aristocrats' wedding

Greece's Prince Nikalaos and Princess Tatiana announced their 'amicable' separation after 14 years of marriage in a statement that shocked royal fans around the world. 

The royal couple married in a lavish wedding in 2010 and appeared together in public earlier this year at a memorial service for the prince's father King Constantine II in Windsor. 

But despite their lengthy union and marriage that seemed idyllic to outward eyes, the pair may have had stark differences even from the start. 

While Nikalaos, 54, loves Greece with all his heart, it was a difficult adjustment for his wife when they moved there permanently in 2013. 

Tatiana, 43, appeared to embrace royal life, but is said to have never felt completely at home in the country and was more comfortable wearing her jeans and sneakers than the royal tiara and sash. 

Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos of Greece have announced their shock separation - but Tatiana never quite fit into royal life. Pictured on the day before their marriage in 2010

After Greek outlets reported rumours of a split for months, the couple released a statement announcing their separation on the royal website.

It read: 'We wish to inform you of a significant and heartfelt decision made by TRH Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana.

'After fourteen years of marriage, they have chosen to amicably dissolve their union.

'This decision was reached with great care and mutual respect, reflecting the depth of their appreciation for one another and the moments they have shared.

'Their future interactions will continue to be guided by these same principles of respect and understanding, as they transition into a relationship rooted in a strong friendship.

'They will continue to live and build their lives in Greece, a place they both call home. The Family will always support them.'

The couple wed in August 2010 on the Greek island of Spetses. 

The wedding - which was described as 'Mamma Mia, but with aristocrats' - was attended by royalty from around the world, including monarchies from the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Spain. 

The pair seemed to have the most idyllic relationship and wed in 2010 on the Greek island of Spetses

Princess Tatiana and her husband appeared together in public just weeks ago for the memorial service for King Constantine

But the down-to-earth Tatiana already seemed at odds with the extravagance of Greek royal life, asking the nobles and princes present to trade their formal wear for caftans and sandals. 

Shortly after her wedding, she admitted: 'I do not feel like a princess. I do not feel that I married a prince, with a title. Well actually, yes, he is my prince, but nothing more.' 

Tatiana was born in Venezuelan capital Caracas and went to boarding school in Switzerland before studying sociology at Georgetown. 

She met her future husband during a ski holiday in Switzerland in 2003 and announced their engagement six years later - with the wedding one of the high society events of the year.

Shortly after the wedding, Princess Tatiana left her job as an events’ organiser for designer Diana Von Furstenberg, MailOnline previously reported. 

She lived in Chelsea in London and visited Greece with Nikalaos for the first time in 2004, before moving there permanently in 2013. 

Nikalaos, who was raised in Britain, had always dreamed of living in Greece, but his wife didn't feel the same way. 

The aristocrat didn't speak any Greek, and told Vogue about her feelings on arriving into the country - which already hinted at how uncomfortable she was. 

Prince Nikolaos (right), 54, and Princess Tatiana (left), 43, wed in August 2010

The pair announced their separation on Friday after 14 years of marriage. Pictured: Princess Theodora, Princess Tatiana and Prince Nikolaos in 2021

She told the fashion magazine: 'I remember when we drove in, it felt like everyone was traveling in the opposite direction.' 

In the same interview, she revealed that her new royal life was rather different to how you might expect.

She continued: 'I live a very simple life here. I work, I go to the supermarket, I cook, I walk my dog, and the Greek people have welcomed me like they would anyone else.' 

Tatiana did try to throw herself into Greek life, partnering with charity Boroume to provide meals and publishing a cookbook called A Taste Of Greece, as well as putting painstaking efforts into learning the language. 

Over time, she said she grew more comfortable with living in the country - and the royal announcement stated she will continue to live there. The couple do not have any children. 

King Constantine, the last king of Greece before the country abolished its monarchy in 1973, died of a stroke in Athens last year at the age of 82. He was also close with the British royals and was Prince William's godfather. 

Tatiana is also well-known for her father's broken engagement with Natalie Wood, the glamorous American model who met with a mysterious death after a boat accident. 

Shoe manufacturer Ladislav Blatnik was engaged to Wood before they broke up in 1965. 

Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana pictured in 2010, before their marriage, attending the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling

Nikolaos' father Constantine II (right, with William and Catherine) was close with the British royal family - Charles III was his second cousin while 

Wood died on November 29, 1981 during a weekend trip to Santa Catalina Island on the yacht belonging to her husband Robert Wagner. 

The cause of death was confirmed as drowning but it was never determined how she entered the water in the first place. 

In 2018, Wagner himself was named as a person of interest in the case and there were reports the couple had been arguing. In 2022 it was announced that all leads were exhausted and the case remains unsolved. Blatnik died by suicide when Tatiana was just seven years old.