HIS MAJESTY THE KING AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC WILL ATTEND A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING TO MARK THE 650TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANGLO-PORTUGUESE ALLIANCE
Thursday 15th June 2023
His Majesty The King and The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, will attend a service of thanksgiving to mark the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance.
This service, which will include readings and a psalm in both English and Portuguese as well as music from Portuguese and English composers, is the culmination of the Portugal-UK 650 celebrations that began in The Queen’s Chapel in 2019.
The Queen’s Chapel was the chapel of the Portuguese-born Queen Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II. Her coat of arms, combining the arms of Portugal and the United Kingdom, features above the altar and in the gallery.
The Portugal-UK 650 commemorations mark the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world still in force. To date Portugal-UK 650 has organised more than 300 activities and projects in both countries, in collaboration with 210 institutions.
The alliance, based on the perpetual friendship between the two countries, was first formalised with the signing of the Treaty of Tagilde on 10th July 1372. It was formally constituted by the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Alliance, sealed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, on 16th June 1373 by King Edward III of England and King Fernando and Queen Leonor of Portugal.
The alliance was renewed in the Treaty of Windsor of 1386, and by several other treaties throughout the centuries.
On arrival at The Queen’s Chapel, His Majesty and the President of the Portuguese Republic will be welcomed by members of UK and Portuguese Armed Forces and met by the Sub Dean of The Queen’s Chapel, The Reverend Canon Paul Wright LVO, who will introduce Dr Maria Joao Rodrigues de Araújo, President of Portugal-UK 650.
The service will include a short address by Dr Maria Joao Rodrigues de Araújo, President of Portugal-UK 650, and will conclude with the National Anthems of both countries.
After the service, the King and the President will view the original Treaty of Tagilde from 1373 from the National Archives, receive a gift from Portugal-UK 650 and meet some of those who have been involved in the celebrations.
