History and world-class hospitality converged in Crete as the Hilton Garden Inn Chania City had the distinct honor of hosting Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and her husband, Rear Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
The royal couple arrived for an unforgettable weekend on May 23–24, 2026, dedicated to honoring the 85th anniversary of the legendary Battle of Crete—a pivotal World War II chapter defined by the fierce, shared bravery of British, Commonwealth, and Greek forces alongside the Cretan people.
Princess Anne and her husband, Rear Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, checking in at the Hilton Garden Inn Chania City
From the moment of their arrival, the royal delegation experienced the very best of Cretan spirit and hospitality. Area General Manager Georgina Parra and General Manager Pavlos Papadakis personally welcomed the Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence, ensuring a seamless, deeply personalized stay. British Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge also joined the weekend’s proceedings.
Georgina Parra, Area General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Chania City alongside British Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge
The Princess Royal’s itinerary beautifully wove together solemn remembrance and vibrant local culture. On Saturday, she paid tribute to the fallen of the RAF’s No. 30 and No. 33 Squadrons at Maleme before attending the British Embassy’s annual Service of Remembrance at the Souda Bay Allied War Cemetery. Following a dramatic flypast by No. 30 Squadron and the world-renowned Red Arrows, Princess Anne spent time connecting with British veterans and descendants of local Cretan fighters. The day culminated in an exclusive dining experience on the hotel’s 8th floor, where the royal party savored the creative cuisine of Chef Dimitris Georgiadis at the rooftop restaurant, Rodopou & Beyond.
Sunday brought more historic exploration with a guided tour of the Battle of Crete exhibition at Firkas Castle and the Naval Museum of Crete. After attending a Doxology at the Holy Metropolitan Cathedral and a spirited parade of traditional Cretan associations, the momentous weekend concluded with a breathtaking, 20-minute aerial display by the RAF Red Arrows over the iconic Chania harbour.
