A special coronation message to King Charles III from the Director-General

As we celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, Commonwealth War Graves Commission Claire Horton has prepared a special message in honour of this momentous occasion.

Your Majesty,

On behalf of all of us at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, it gives me great pleasure to wish you heartfelt congratulations on your coronation.
Our association with the House of Windsor is strong and long-standing.

Our organisation was founded by Royal Charter, and we still greatly value your enduring interest and support in our work.

We know how much the Commonwealth means to Your Majesty, and how much you value it, not least through your own military connections, the contribution and sacrifices made by our men and women of the armed forces, and, indeed, those of our friends and families.

We are honoured to bear the word Commonwealth in our title, and on behalf of peoples everywhere, to care for those who answered freedom’s call and paid so high a price for the defence of ideals which we, and you, hold so dear.

Just as you have pledged a life of service to the peoples of the Commonwealth, so we pledge to serve the commemorative needs of the Commonwealth and the memories of those who died.

We greatly value the trust you place in us to fulfil that commemorative mission and we hope we will always be worthy of that trust and noble duty.

On this historic and joyous day, we remember too our late Queen, your beloved mother, and her years of dedicated service and shining example, for which we will always be grateful.

From all of us, long may you reign.

God save the King.

Claire Horton CBE
Director-General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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