Remembering Dresden

In remembrance of the destruction of Dresden and the end of the Second World War fifty years ago a number of commemoration events were organised on February 13, 1995. The Duke of Kent representing the British Royal Family took part as well as high-ranking officers from the USA, Britain and Germany in a wreath-laying on the Heidefriedhof in memory of the victims of the war. An Ecumenical service was also held at the Frauenkirche, the Church of the Lady which is being rebuilt. During the ceremony in which the Bishop of Coventry participated, the Duke of Kent handed over the Sketches for the new Cross of the Frauenkirche, Great Britain's gift and he said (speaking in German):

"On behalf of the Queen and the people of the United Kingdom I offer you these sketches. The sketches are of the cross which we would like to give to you, to stand on the top of the dome of the Frauenkirche when it is rebuilt. We want this cross to be a symbol of the reconciliation between Britain and Germany. We give it in remembrance of those who died in Dresden in February 1945, and in the conviction that there will forever be peace between our two peoples. We deeply regret the suffering on all sides in the War. Today we remember especially that of the people of Dresden."