London, May 2018. A high-level delegation of Portuguese MPs and British Embassy officials went on a fact-finding visit to Twickenham along with the Chairman of the Portuguese Centenary Appeal, Anthony Bailey.

During their short stay, the delegation, which was led by the British Ambassador to Portugal, HE Kirsty Hayes, visited the Church of St James’s and viewed the two memorial windows recently unveiled marking the Portuguese War Dead of WW1 and the last King of Portugal and Twickenham resident HM Dom Manuel II.

The Deacon of the church, Mr Nick Reynolds, introduced the visitors to the church and explained its unique history with Portugal and its Royal House as well as the efforts made by my parish priest The Rev Fr Ulick Loring to highlight and bring attention to this important European relationship.

The delegation also met with the newly elected Leader of the Council of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Cllr Gareth Thomas  and London MEP Dr Charles Tannock.

The delegation consisted of the following personalities, which can be seen on the attached picture from left to right:

London, April 2018. Message from His Royal Highness Dom Duarte, Duke of Braganza and Head of the Portuguese Royal House, read by Mr Anthony Bailey, OBE, ComIH, CCVV, Chairman of the Portuguese Centenary Appeal at St James’s Church, Twickenham – Monday 9 April 2018.

The Duchess of Braganza joins me in extending our heartiest congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of the unveiling of these two fine memorial windows.

This is the first memorial to the Portuguese fallen of the Great War in Britain and the first to the late King Manuel II. Both windows serve as timely reminders of the endurance of our two peoples and their continued wish to celebrate and promote what is the oldest continual diplomatic alliance in existence between two countries in the world today. An alliance dating back to the signing of the Treaty of Windsor in 1386 and one that ever since has remained in intact and impressively withstood the passage of time.

As a result of Portugal’s involvement in the First World War, between 1916 and 1918 more than 100,000 Portuguese soldiers went to war and nearly 12,000 men died with thousands of others wounded or reported missing. This memorial window serves as a poignant testament of their sacrifice in the cause of freedom and democracy.

King Manuel II played an important part in maintaining the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance whilst on the Throne and when in exile. He supported Portugal’s alignment with the Allies in 1916.

During this time, Dom Manuel placed himself at the service of the British Red Cross and wearing the uniform of a British Army Officer, he started touring hospitals throughout the country. The King was assiduous in his concern for the victims of the War as the second memorial window reflects so vividly.

During his exile, King Manuel became a much loved and respected parishioner of St James’s Church in Twickenham where he worshipped for many years.

On my recent visit to the church I was delighted to see how the parish continues to value and promote its relations with Portugal and my Family and I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Reverend Father Ulick Loring, his parish council and to all his parishioners for their continued efforts to uphold the memory of the Portuguese in Britain.

This parish has become a treasure trove to this relationship. A study of the other church windows, the nearby hall, the organ, wall plaques and several silver items donated to the parish by His late Majesty stand as a reminder of this. This new window in honour of my cousin is a welcomed edition and illustrates the affection King Manuel was held in locally having lived for 22 years in the Borough until his untimely death in 1932 aged just 42.

When the late king’s body was returned to Lisbon and accorded a full State Funeral by the republican government in Portugal it was very touching for my Family to note that locally the same respect was shown by your Borough who had nearby roads named bearing witness to this connection such as Manoel Road, Lisbon Avenue, Augusta Road and Portugal Gardens.

As Patron of the Portuguese Centenary Appeal, and now under the High Patronage of His Excellency The President of the Portuguese Republic, I look forward to the next steps of this initiative namely the erection of a statute of King Manuel. This will highlight once again the Borough’s connection to my family and the important role the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames continues to play in the centuries old story of the Anglo-Portuguese alliance.

END

London, April 2018. The first memorial in honour of the Portuguese fallen of the Great War in Britain was unveiled at St James’s Church in Twickenham on Monday 9 April 2018. This date marked the Centenary Anniversary of the Battle of the Lys.

The memorial consists of a beautiful commissioned stained glass window, which will serve to honour and commemorate the 12,000 Portuguese soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War.

A second beautiful stained glass window was unveiled in remembrance of Portugal’s last sovereign, King Manuel II, who lived locally until his passing in 1932 aged 42.

Together, the two windows will serve as symbols of celebration of the oldest continual diplomatic alliance in existence between two countries in the world today, Portugal and England (at present the United Kingdom), an alliance dating back to the signing of the Treaty of Windsor in 1386.

Following the solemnity of mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster John Wilson, representing His Eminence Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, the windows were unveiled by Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank and HE Mr Manuel Lobo Antunes, Ambassador of Portugal to the Court of St James’s.

Speeches were delivered by Bishop John Wilson, Parish Priest Fr Ulick Loring, and the Portuguese Ambassador. A message from the Head of Portuguese Royal Family, HRH Dom Duarte, Duke of Braganza, was read by Chairman of the Portuguese Appeal, Anthony Bailey OBE. The Duke and Duchess of Braganza serve as Patrons of the Appeal.

A reception at the Parish Hall in Twickenham took place after the unveiling to celebrate this significant event for the historic diplomatic alliance between the UK and Portugal.

The next phase of the Portuguese Centenary Appeal initiative will be the erection of a statute to King Manuel II in Twickenham.