When you think of summer in the Ionian Islands, one thing usually comes to mind: wall-to-wall tourists.
And with nearly three million of them descending on the region during July and August, locals are normally too busy to talk about anything else.
But this year, there’s another hot topic making the rounds—especially on the island of Kefalonia.
It’s not about the heat or the hustle, but rather a curious question whispered in tavernas, beaches, and taxi cabs alike: Did anyone spot Prince William and his family on holiday here?
Rumours Fly as Superyachts Make Their Appearance
According to many locals, the Prince and Princess of Wales—along with their three kids, George, Charlotte, and Louis—touched down on July 16 in a private jet. Word has it, they were joined by Carole and Michael Middleton, Kate’s parents, and were all whisked away to a waiting luxury yacht.
Some believe they boarded the Norn, a sleek superyacht owned by a Microsoft billionaire, while others insist it was the ultra-opulent Opera, a £340 million floating palace linked to Emirati royalty.
The Opera has everything from twin helipads to a rumoured Noah’s Ark-style duplicate of just about everything.
Fake News or Royal Truth? Conflicting Eyewitness Accounts
As word spread, stories began surfacing from every corner.
A waiter in Agia Efimia claimed he saw a fleet of black vans waiting to escort the royals from the harbour to the scenic Melissani Cave, which was reportedly closed off for a private visit.
Did he see the royals in person? Not exactly. But his cousin did… or at least thought he did.
The cousin, Vangelis, later admitted he only saw the vehicles. No actual royals in sight.
Adding more fuel to the rumour mill, social media posts pointed to various restaurants the family was supposed to have dined at.
Staff at those eateries were baffled—no royal diners there, although they say the door is always open.
The Local Who Claims She Swam Right Up to Them
Enter Penelope Likoudi, a retired senior civil servant with a lifelong love of the British royals.
Living on the nearby island of Ithaca, she shared a story that just might be the closest anyone came to a confirmed sighting.
One morning, while doing her usual swim near Mavrouna Bay, she noticed a yacht anchored just offshore.
Driven by curiosity, she swam out—and that’s when she says she saw Kate Middleton on the top deck with Charlotte and Louis.
Kate was wearing a dark wrap dress, and Penelope spotted an older woman too, possibly Carole Middleton.
“I shivered with excitement,” Penelope said.
“I wish I’d called out to them, but I was star-struck. I just froze.”
Royalty or Not, It Was the Eco-Friendly Almax
It turns out, the yacht Penelope saw was the Almax, a 50-metre superyacht worth around £40 million and one of the first fuel-cell powered boats of its kind.
A perfect choice for Prince William, whose Earthshot Prize focuses on sustainability and environmental innovation.
The Almax reportedly left Kioni the next day and returned to Argostoli on Friday.
While some say a different group disembarked the next morning, it remains unclear if the royals left earlier or used another vessel.
The Ionians Have Always Been a Royal Favourite
Royal sightings in the region are nothing new. Prince William and Harry reportedly visited Kioni with Princess Diana in the 90s.
Prince Charles and Camilla also stopped in Mavrouna back in 2012.
So perhaps this was a sentimental return for William, reminiscent of Odysseus’ long-awaited journey home in Homer’s Odyssey.
And although there’s no official word from Kensington Palace, Penelope stands by what she saw.
“There’s something magical about Mavrouna,” she said. “I just hope the trip helped Kate feel better. I’ll treasure that moment forever.”
As for Harry and Meghan? Penelope made her feelings clear: “I wouldn’t want to see them.
But William and Kate—oh yes, they’re always welcome.”
