Princess Anne met Greek President Constantine Tassoulas at the Presidential Mansion on Friday as part of her three-day visit to Greece ahead of events commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
The British royal is scheduled to travel to Crete on Saturday to attend anniversary ceremonies honoring the historic World War II battle, which the Greek president described as a pivotal moment in the fight against Nazism.
During the meeting, Tassoulas highlighted the shared historical memories linking Greece and the United Kingdom through the Battle of Crete, noting that Princess Anne’s presence at the commemorative events would pay tribute to the joint resistance mounted by Greek and British forces during the Nazi invasion of the island 85 years ago.
Meeting of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine Tassoulas, with Princess Anne of the United Kingdom at the Presidential Mansion, Friday, May 22, 2026. EDITORIAL USE ONLY (PRESS OFFICE OF THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN ATHENS / EUROKINISSI)
The president also referred to Anne’s role as president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, saying her visit would include the Allied War Cemetery in Chania, Crete. He emphasized that the site symbolizes the enduring friendship between the two nations, which continues today through their shared commitment to international peace, the rule of law and security in Europe.
Tassoulas further noted several of the princess’s other roles that connect her to Greece. As head of the British Olympic Association, he said she represents an institution closely linked to the birthplace of the Olympic Games. He added that the Olympic ideal of reconciliation and peace remains particularly relevant amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The president also referenced Princess Anne’s long-standing involvement with maritime welfare through the Mission to Seafarers, praising the organization’s decades-long support for people working at sea.
Meeting of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine Tassoulas, with Princess Anne of the United Kingdom at the Presidential Mansion, Friday, May 22, 2026. (THODORIS MANOLOPOULOS / PRESS OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC / EUROKINISSI)
Welcoming Princess Anne and her husband to Greece, Tassoulas said her various public roles have created strong links with the country over many years.
For her part, Princess Anne thanked the president for his hospitality and stressed the significance of the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete for both Greece and the United Kingdom, as well as for Australia and New Zealand. She paid special tribute to the people of Crete, saying they suffered more than anyone else during the conflict.
The princess also recalled previous visits to Greece, including trips related to the Olympic Games and the Olympic flame ceremony ahead of the London Olympics.
Speaking about the Mission to Seafarers, she noted that the organization has been operating for 40 years and now has a presence in 50 countries worldwide, providing support to seafarers regardless of nationality, gender or race.
Concluding her remarks, Princess Anne said she has developed a growing interest in historical perspectives over the years, describing history as something she continues to follow and appreciate through the passage of time.
