Westminster Abbey to honour former Prime Minister Harold Wilson

The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, said:

Almost every UK Prime Minister from the first half of the 20th century is buried or memorialised in the Abbey but so far none who held office since 1955. As part of our continuing commitment to our neighbours in the Palace of Westminster and Whitehall, it is appropriate for the Abbey, where a memorial service for Lord Wilson was held in July 1995, to memorialise him alongside his distinguished predecessors. We have announced memorials to other Prime Ministers from the latter half of the 20th century, but Lord Wilson’s, whose widow is happily still with us, will be installed first.

Speaking on behalf of Lord Wilson’s family, his daughter-in-law Joy Crispin Wilson said:

The Lady Wilson of Rievaulx and her family are very pleased that a memorial stone to her late husband, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, (Harold Wilson, 1916 -1995 and Prime Minister on four occasions between 1964 - 70 and 1974 -1976) is to be placed on the floor of Westminster Abbey in the near future. We are very grateful to the Dean for granting permission for this to happen.

Details of the design and location of the memorial stone within the Abbey church, and of the dedication of the memorial, will be announced later.