HRH PRINCE EDWARD, the Duke of Kent, visited Glasnevin Cemetery and museum earlier today, becoming the first member of the British Royal family to lay a laurel wreath at the Sigerson Memorial to the volunteers of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Prince Edward, who is the President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), also lay a poppy wreath at the World War I and II commemorative walls.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has, since 2009, partnered with the Glasnevin Trust to erect headstones and mark the 208 graves in the cemetery that belong to Irish men and women who served in the British Armed Forces during both World Wars and who died during or as a result of their service.

Commenting on the visit, the chairman of the Glasnevin Trust, John Green, said that the war graves commission had been a “wonderful partner” without whom most of the 208 graves would remain unmarked.

It has been a wonderful collaboration and we believe one that is playing its part in further strengthening the bonds between our two great nations in this modern era.