Poland in the UK

In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Poland to the Court of St James’s Professor Piotr Wilczek said: "I speak for everyone here when I say that we admire The Duke’s consistent dedication to celebrating Polish heritage, his passion for Polish art and history, and his commitment to nurturing ties between the two countries during numerous visits to Poland. These visits have left a lasting impact and secured him a special place in the hearts of the Polish people.” The closing speech from The Duke of Kent highlighted the symbolic nature of the reception taking place at the Polish Embassy in London. It further emphasised the close connection between His Royal Highness and Poland and the future of even greater cooperation both sides look forward to. 

It was an honour to host and celebrate His Royal Highness, especially considering his deeply personal connection with Poland. Indeed, The Duke of Kent has participated in various events commemorating Polish history, culture, and heritage on the British islands. The list includes the unveiling of the Polish Armed Forces Memorial in 2009 and of Basia Hamilton's portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2023. To this day, HRH remains the greatest advocate for the veterans of the Second World War and maintains close relations with the most prominent members of the Polish diaspora. It is also vital to recognise HRH for his continuous support and patronage of the Polish Hearth Club, first opened in 1940 by The Duke’s father, Prince George. The grand halls of the Polish Embassy and the musical stylings of a string quartet featuring Grażyna Bacewicz's compositions provided a perfect ambience for honouring such an important figure in Polish-British relations. 

The celebrations gathered important leaders from Polish diaspora who play a crucial role in creating a comprehensive image of Poland in the UK, including those representing culture, academia and economy.

Distinguished guests such asthe Earl of St Andrews , Lord Nicholas Windsor, Lady Helen Taylor, Lady Marina Charlotte Windsor, and Lady Amelia Windsor celebrated the long life of HRH The Duke of Kent.