With thanks to His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent

His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent has today officially handed over the Presidency of the CWGC to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. 

The Duke of Kent has been our President since February 1970, serving in the position for more than 50 years. Throughout his tenure the Duke visited many of our sites, meeting our staff around the world and representing the Commission at some of the largest events in our history. 

His Royal Highness The Duke Of Kent was appointed President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on 27 February 1970. As President, The Duke of Kent has supported the work of the CWGC and travelled widely to visit our sites including in Australia, France, Belgium, Ireland and Bulgaria.

The Duke of Kent said: 

“As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for over 50 years, it has been a privilege and an honour to work closely with those who strive to preserve the legacy and memory of our fallen is not lost.
I look forward to watching on as Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal champions this remarkable organisation which ensures future generations continue to commemorate the sacrifice of the men and women of the Commonwealth”. 

Claire Horton CBE, our Director General, paid tribute to the Duke on behalf of all of us at the Commission: 

"While we are saddened by your departure, we give thanks for your dedication, service and support as our President, and we remember with great fondness the many moments we have shared over the years. 

"There have been so many highlights, from opening our headquarters in 1973, to the launch of our records on the internet in 1998, to the inauguration of the first new cemetery we had built in fifty years at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in France in 2010, to the hugely significant moment of our re-engagement in the Irish Republic in 2014 when you dedicated our Cross of Sacrifice at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, you have overseen events and moments of great significance in our history and the history of commemoration.

"We consider ourselves fortunate to have had you as our President. You are greatly admired and loved by our people around the world, and I know they join with us in saying thank you for all you have done for us, and to wish you a long and very happy future."