KIGALI, Rwanda — Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, paid her respects on Monday to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi during a solemn visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 victims are laid to rest.
The Crown Princess toured the memorial’s exhibits and laid a wreath in honor of those who perished, taking time to reflect on Rwanda’s history and the legacy of remembrance and resilience that has come to define the nation’s three-decade journey since the atrocities.
“We must always remember,” the princess wrote in the memorial’s visitors book. “Very hard to see but so important. Thank you and God bless all the families.”
We welcomed Her Royal Highness Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, who paid her respects to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi and toured the memorial exhibits to deepen her understanding of its history and legacy. pic.twitter.com/xtj9pZJxtH
— Kigali Genocide Memorial (@Kigali_Memorial) March 2, 2026
The visit offered the Greek royal a firsthand encounter with one of the 20th century’s darkest chapters.
The memorial serves as both a final resting place for victims and a permanent reminder of the consequences of ethnic division and international inaction.
Monday’s memorial visit followed a meeting last week between the Crown Princess and Rwanda’s First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, at the offices of the Imbuto Foundation in Kigali. During their February 26 discussion, the two women focused on education initiatives, refugee empowerment programs, and avenues for development cooperation.
Marie-Chantal, who is married to Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, is a member of the former Greek royal family. Although Greece formally abolished its monarchy in 1973, the family continues to use its historical titles and remains active in philanthropic and international humanitarian efforts.
The Crown Princess is widely recognized for her humanitarian work, particularly through the Building Better Futures campaign, an initiative she founded with backing from UNHCR that promotes education and empowerment opportunities for refugee girls and women.
Her engagement with Rwanda reflects a broader pattern of international figures visiting the memorial to bear witness to the genocide’s legacy and to underscore commitments to preventing future atrocities.
