Why this Holy Mountain in Greece is a Spiritual Home for King Charles

King Charles III, the British monarch who first stepped onto the sacred ‘Holy Mountain’ in northeast Greece mere weeks after the tragic death of Princess Diana—and who has returned on multiple occasions since.

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, King Charles carries immense spiritual responsibilities at home. Yet his devotion extends deeply into the Greek Orthodox tradition, the faith into which his late father, Prince Philip, was baptized as a young man in Corfu.

Even amid his ongoing cancer treatment, which has limited his travels, the King has turned to Mount Athos for solace. He has sought counsel from his close friend, Archimandrite Ephraim, the 67-year-old Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery—one of the 20 ancient religious communities dotting this hallowed peninsula. The abbot recently shared with a Greek newspaper that the King has been in contact since his diagnosis. He expressed belief that he will overcome it, his words carrying the quiet assurance of centuries-old wisdom.

Home to around 2,000 monks, Mount Athos forms the easternmost of Halkidiki’s three dramatic peninsulas, just a 90-minute drive from Thessaloniki. Spanning 130 square miles, this promontory is a self-governing monastic state—a world unto itself, shielded by Greece yet fiercely autonomous, its rhythms dictated by prayer, silence, and unyielding tradition.

King Charles first arrived on the ‘Holy Mountain’ shortly after Princess Diana’s death and has made several return visits, drawn by its profound Orthodox heritage.

Around 2,000 monks reside on Mount Athos, the eastern prong of Halkidiki’s peninsulas, a short journey from Thessaloniki’s vibrant shores.

Men from around the world can apply for a free stay in one of these monasteries—some perched precariously on sheer cliffs gazing out over the Aegean Sea. In exchange, guests rise at 3 a.m. for matins, labor in the gardens or scriptoriums, and immerse themselves in a life of contemplation. (Women, however, are barred from approaching within 500 meters of the coastline—a rule so strict it extends even to female livestock, save for the ever-present cats.)

That prohibition makes it feel almost irrelevant at first to wander barefoot along the mile-long beach at Eagles Palace hotel, cocktail in hand, with the austere silhouette of Mount Athos brooding on the horizon. Yet within 24 hours, any guilt evaporates. This family-run haven—boasting 157 rooms in its main building and 42 private pool villas cascading up the hillside—radiates a profound tranquility, courtesy of its youthful, exceptionally warm staff.

Nestled on a stunning ribbon of sand-and-pebble shoreline, the resort commands panoramic views toward Ammouliani Island, renowned for its crystalline waters. At moments, it evokes the Caribbean’s lazy allure, but with Greece’s unmatched culinary edge. Our debut evening unfolds at the hotel’s beachside taverna on a wooden pontoon, where house-made tzatziki—creamy, garlicky perfection—eclipses the watery impostors in British supermarket aisles.

Five dining options cater to every palate and pocket, complemented by a world-class spa and kids’ clubs galore. Yet with acres of space, it never descends into the crush of overtourism.

Male pilgrims can lodge gratis in Athos’s monasteries, but for families, the luxurious Eagles Palace—with its 157 rooms and 42 pool villas—offers a serene alternative.

After a few sun-soaked days, we ponder aloud: Why do so many Brits cram onto Greece’s oft-overpacked islands when the mainland brims with uncrowded treasures? Truth be told, no other mainland enclave harbors a holy mountain at its heart—a living testament to Byzantine splendor and Orthodox piety.

The nearest gateway is Ouranoupoli, the “City of Heaven.” Mere mention of its name cues any taxi driver to its location. Dominating the scene is its 13th-century Byzantine tower, a sentinel on the harbor’s edge, piercing the skyline like a silent lighthouse for souls adrift.

Along the village’s lone thoroughfare, shops brim with identical wares: vibrant icons of saints, gem-encrusted crosses, ornate chalices. Black-robed monks with flowing silver beards glide through, their presence infusing the air with an ethereal hush amid pilgrims embarking—or concluding—a transformative odyssey.

The prime vantage for beholding the monasteries? By sea. Public boats depart from Ouranoupoli with audio narration, but Eagles Palace guests enjoy a bespoke cruise with the hotel’s erudite captain, who unravels tales of each fortress-like edifice.

The closest village to Mount Athos is Ouranoupoli—its Byzantine tower a harbor beacon, instantly recognizable to local drivers.

King Charles, a known devotee of Byron’s prose, surely cherishes such passages. As we depart these shores, our thoughts turn to “Carlos,” praying his health rallies for another pilgrimage. And should the monastic dawn vigils prove too rigorous just yet, a secluded villa at Eagles Palace—whispered by the waves—might serve as the ideal restorative haven.

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