Princess Anne attends Battle of Crete commemorations in Greece

Monday, 18 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Princess Anne will visit Greece to attend commemorations marking the Battle of Crete, the World War II battle fought in May 1941 in which Allied forces, including a significant number of British and Commonwealth troops, attempted to defend the island against a German airborne invasion. The annual commemorations take place each year around May 20-27, the anniversary of the battle, and are held primarily in the Chania region of western Crete. Key memorial sites include the Souda Bay War Cemetery, one of the most significant Commonwealth war graves sites in Greece, and the town of Maleme, where the main German landings occurred. Tourists visiting Crete during this period can attend public wreath-laying ceremonies and memorial services at Souda Bay. The commemorations attract international delegations and offer visitors a meaningful opportunity to engage with the island's wartime history.