Princess Anne of the United Kingdom visits Greece from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24, 2026, in a visit with strong symbolic and diplomatic character directly connected to the historical memory of the Battle of Crete and the enduring relations between Greece and the United Kingdom. King Charles’s sister, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence, will begin her program in Athens, where she will be received by President of the Republic Konstantinos Tassoulas at the Presidential Palace. Subsequently, she will conduct a series of meetings and visits before traveling to Chania for the 85th anniversary commemorative events of the Battle of Crete. The visit gains particular significance as it highlights the historical bond created between Greece, Britain and Commonwealth countries during World War II, when British soldiers fought alongside Greeks in the Battle of Crete in May 1941.
Princess Anne in Athens and official meetings
Princess Anne’s official visit will begin at the Presidential Palace in Athens, where at 10:30 AM on Friday she will meet with President of the Republic Konstantinos Tassoulas. Her presence at the highest state level is considered particularly significant, as the British royal family maintains close historical ties with Greece, while Princess Anne herself has participated in events with historical and military character in the past.
Subsequently, the princess will visit the Unified Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. There she will be briefed on the Center’s operations, national preparedness procedures, and coordination implemented during crises and natural disasters. The visit gains particular interest due to the ongoing challenges Mediterranean countries have faced in recent years from wildfires and extreme weather events.
At noon, Princess Anne will attend an official lunch in her honor organized by Union of Greek Shipowners President Melina Travlou together with members of the Union’s Board of Directors. This meeting is considered particularly significant, as Greek shipping maintains enduring economic and commercial ties with the United Kingdom and specifically with the City of London.
Princess Anne in Chania and Battle of Crete commemorative events
On Saturday and Sunday, Princess Anne will travel to Chania, where she will participate in events for the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. These events have strong symbolic character every year and bring together representatives from Greece, the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries.
The princess will attend a memorial service at the Maleme monument for the fallen of the 30th and 33rd Squadrons of the Royal Air Force, while participating in the traditional ceremony at the Allied Cemetery of Souda Bay, organized annually by the British embassy. The ceremony will open with a tribute flypast by aircraft from the 30th Squadron and the famous Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force, adding even greater symbolism to the memorial events.
During her stay in Crete, Princess Anne will meet descendants of Cretans who participated in the 1941 battles as well as British veterans who have chosen the island as their residence. On Sunday she will attend the official doxology at the Holy Metropolitan Cathedral of Chania, as well as the parade of flag bearers from traditional associations. Her program also includes a visit to the Naval Museum of Crete, where she will be guided through exhibits related to the Battle of Crete and the participation of Allied forces in the 1941 operations.
