Princess Anne marks 85th anniversary of Battle of Crete in Chania

Sunday, 24 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, attended an official ceremony in Chania marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The battle, fought in May 1941, was one of the largest airborne invasions in history and resulted in significant Allied and Cretan civilian casualties. Chania was at the center of the fighting, and the region holds numerous memorial sites including the Souda Bay War Cemetery, one of the most visited Commonwealth war graves in Greece. The anniversary ceremonies typically include wreath-laying events, military parades, and commemorations attended by representatives from Greece, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Visitors in the Chania area during late May can pay their respects at Souda Bay War Cemetery, located about 6 km east of the city center, and explore the Battle of Crete Museum in Chania's old town.