Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Princess Anne, accompanied by her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, is embarking on a significant three-day official visit to Greece on behalf of King Charles III.
The high-profile trip, scheduled from May 22 to May 24, 2026, serves as the Princess Royal’s first major overseas deployment since her appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy earlier this year.
Amid busy preparations for her son Peter Phillips’ upcoming wedding in June, the hard-working royal is maintaining her steadfast dedication to Crown duties by undertaking this packed diplomatic and commemorative itinerary.
Key Highlights of Princess Anne’s Greece Visit
1. Diplomatic Engagements in Athens
The Princess Royal will kick off her official tour in the Greek capital. Acting in her capacity as President of the Mission to Seafarers, Her Royal Highness will lead several maritime and civic events, including:
An official meeting with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, at the Presidential Palace.
A tour of the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) to review Greece’s emergency preparedness.
A formal luncheon hosted by Melina Travlou, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners.
2. Honoring WWII Heroes: The 85th Anniversary of the Battle of CreteThe core of the three-day tour centers on the historic island of Crete. Princess Anne will represent the British monarch during solemn ceremonies marking 85 years since the Battle of Crete—a pivotal World War II airborne conflict where Allied forces fought fiercely against Nazi invasion.
The Princess Royal’s commemorative agenda includes:
The Maleme RAF Monument: Attending a memorial service dedicated to the brave airmen of the Royal Air Force’s 30 and 33 Squadrons who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1941. Souda Bay Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery: Participating in the annual Service of Remembrance alongside local officials and international dignitaries.
A Spectacular Aerial Tribute: Watching a ceremonial flypast executed by No. 30 Squadron RAF and the world-renowned Red Arrows aerobatics display team, followed by the laying of a formal wreath.
3. Connecting with Veterans and HeritageWhile in Chania, Princess Anne will meet with the descendants of the historic Cretan resistance fighters as well as British Armed Forces veterans who have retired to the island. Her itinerary also includes exploring Greece’s rich wartime history via guided tours of the historic Firkas Fortress and the Maritime Museum of Crete.
Why This Royal Tour Matters
This deployment underscores the Princess Royal’s reputation as the “hardest-working member of the Royal Family,” stepping up her international presence as King Charles continues to balance his public schedule.
Furthermore, the trip highlights the deeply intertwined, historic ties between the British Monarchy and Greece—the birthplace of Princess Anne’s late father, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.