Princess Anne attends Battle of Crete 85th anniversary ceremony

Saturday, 23 May 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Princess Anne attended commemorations at Maleme, in western Crete, marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete. The ceremony honoured the Allied soldiers, including many New Zealanders, Australians, and British troops, who fought and fell during the German airborne invasion of May 1941. Maleme is home to the German War Cemetery, where over 4,000 soldiers are buried, and is one of the most historically significant sites on the island. The annual commemorations draw international dignitaries and veterans' families each May. Visitors to the area can explore the cemetery and nearby Maleme airfield, where the decisive battle took place. The site is located approximately 17 kilometres west of Chania and is open to the public year-round, offering a sobering and important window into Crete's wartime history.