The counter-coup effort led by Constantine II of Greece took shape against the backdrop of the military dictatorship instituted by the Regime of the Colonels, which seized power in April 1967. Following the coup, the king was initially sidelined, but as political repression intensified, he sought to reclaim his role and the monarchy. His plan involved mobilizing loyal military officers and engaging popular support to counter the military regime's authority. The attempting coup took place in Athens and aimed to reinstate democratic governance in Greece, amid burgeoning political unrest and public discontent with the military rule.

Despite initial aspirations, the counter-coup faced significant obstacles. Lack of widespread support and poor coordination among troops led to its rapid failure; most military units remained loyal to the junta. Within hours of its initiation, the king's forces were outmaneuvered and ultimately defeated. The rapid downfall forced Constantine II to flee to exile in Rome, which not only ended his reign in Greece but also solidified the regime’s power temporarily. The failure of the coup significantly altered the political dynamics in Greece and further entrenched the military’s hold on the government.

The aftermath saw a strengthening of the Colonels' regime, which continued its repressive policies, leading to further unrest in the years following. The failed coup highlighted the tensions between monarchy and military authority in Greece. By the early 1970s, the repressive actions of the regime sparked widespread protests, and later, a return to democracy was sought by the Greek populace in the wake of increased dissent against military rule.