Menin Gate memorial is formally re-opened after two years of renovations

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, President of the CWGC, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Claire of Belgium lay wreathes during the re-opening ceremony.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s iconic Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium has been formally re-opened by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, President of the CWGC, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Claire of Belgium.

The ceremony featured a procession through the town with the CWGC Torch of Peace and included the unveiling of a UNESCO stone at the memorial, marking its inscription as a world heritage site. During the ceremony, the Last Post Association played the Last Post which was followed by a two minute silence.

The re-opening marked the completion of a two-year €6 million restoration project, which addressed every aspect of the listed monument – from structural repairs and careful, meticulous conservation to ecological enhancements and the installation of modern, energy-efficient lighting. It also features a living roof with plant life forming part of a completely new waterproofing system for the top of the memorial.

The Royal party inspect one of the many refurbished name panels on the Memorial.

CWGC Director General, Claire Horton CBE, said:
“Today marks a milestone – the completion of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s most comprehensive restoration in almost 100 years of what is perhaps our most iconic memorial, the UNESCO-listed Menin Gate. “These detailed and highly specialised conservation works were undertaken on an epic scale – and yet every evening at 8pm precisely the century old tradition of the Last Post still sounded, and people from all parts of the globe, gathered in remembrance, demonstrating the enduring power of commemoration, and of the memorial itself. “For nearly a century the Menin Gate has honoured more than 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives on the Ypres Salient and who have no known grave. We look forward to continuing to work with our many partners in Ypres to welcome visitors for the decades to come, and inspire generations to return, year after year.”

Director for the Central and Southern Europe Area, Xavier Puppinck, said:
“We are deeply honoured to welcome so many here today for this beautiful ceremony, which highlights the work carried out over the years with our local partners. I would like to also express a special thanks to the government of Flanders and the city of Ieper and their decisive financial support for this restoration. I also would like to underline the Menin Gate's inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List in September 2023, which sheds further light on the Menin Gate's essential role as a memorial to the First World War for our Commonwealth nations.”

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, President of the CWGC, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Claire of Belgium formally open the CWGC Ieper Visitor Centre.

The newly refurbished CWGC Ieper Visitor Centre and cafe was also officially opened. The centre, located beside the Menin Gate is designed to give a more welcoming and personal visitor experience allowing stories to be shared and offering visitors a deeper understanding of the memorial’s history and the renovation work undertaken.

Chief Marketing Officer and Director of the Commonwealth War Graves’ charitable Foundation, Michele Jennings said:
"The opening of the Commonwealth War Graves’ Ieper Visitor Centre marks an important step in our mission to connect people with the stories of those who died during the world wars. Situated beside the Menin Gate—recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2023—our new centre offers visitors a deeper understanding of the memorial’s history and the enduring work of the Commonwealth War Graves, past, present, and future. It’s a place for learning, reflection and after a day exploring the rich heritage of Flanders Fields. We hope this centre will become a familiar and much-loved space, welcoming visitors for decades to come and inspiring future generations to return, year after year."

Claire Horton, CWGC Director General with Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, President of the CWGC touring the Visitor Centre.