1862 Greek head of state referendum

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From 19 November 1862 (1 December New Style), a plebiscite was held in Greece in support of adopting Prince Alfred of the United Kingdom, later Duke of Edinburgh, as king. The results were announced in February 1863. Of the 240,000 votes reported, over 95% were in favour of the appointment.^[1] The previous king, Otto, who had been deposed in a popular revolt, received one vote.^[2] There were six votes for a Greek candidate and 93 for a Republic.^[3]

Despite the apparently overwhelming result, the Great Powers of Britain, France and Russia refused to permit any member of their respective royal families to accept the Greek throne. Eventually, Prince William of Denmark, who had received six votes in the referendum, was appointed as the new "King of the Hellenes", assuming the name George I.