On 14 November, 1990, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother attended an international service of remembrance and reconciliation in Coventry’s new cathedral to mark the 50th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz.

During the service she presented a cross of nails to President Richard von Weizsacker, President of the Federal Republic of Germany. He in turn presented to Her Majesty a Peace Bell which still hangs in the new cathedral.

In the Cathedral ruins Her Majesty unveiled a plaque reading: “Nation shall not lift sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war any more”. Micah 4.3