ATHENS – With uncertainty how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect celebrations, the March 25th anniversary of 200 years of independence from Ottoman occupation will bring Prince Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Greek capital.

Sources not named told Kathimerini of the gala drawing big names to mark its significance, Greece also aligned with the United States and other allies and celebrated even two centuries ago for saving western civilization.

The newspaper had first reported on Oct. 16, 2020, that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had invited them to celebrations, as representatives of the countries that fought against and defeated the Ottoman Navy in the defining Battle of Navarino on October 20 in 1827.

It wasn’t said if an invitation would also be extended to new US President Joe Biden, a noted Hellenophile, or other political leaders or celebrities to show off the occasion, if the pandemic allows other events.