Glastonbury welcomed Princess Esther Selassie Antohin, a great-granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, for a special visit centred on peace, community and the town's heritage. The visit included a dedication ceremony at St Dunstan's House Health and Wellbeing Centre, where the garden was formally dedicated as a Peace Garden.

Princess Esther was accompanied throughout the day by Deputy Lieutenant Edward Bayntun-Coward, representing His Majesty The King. Civic leaders, community representatives and invited guests joined the programme of events across the town.

The visit began at St Dunstan's House Health and Wellbeing Centre, where Princess Esther toured the facilities and met representatives from local organisations and community groups. The stop gave the town a chance to showcase the work taking place at the centre and its role in supporting local wellbeing.

The central moment of the day was the dedication of the St Dunstan's House garden as a Peace Garden. Led by the Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr Zoe Price, the ceremony brought together councillors, members of the inter-faith community, civic representatives and invited guests.

In her address, the Mayor spoke about her themes for the year: co-operation, kindness and community. She also reflected on Glastonbury's longstanding commitment to peace, including the town's involvement in the international Mayors for Peace initiative, first championed locally by her mother, the late Cllr Denise Michell.

The Peace Garden contains several symbols linked to Glastonbury's traditions and values. Among them is the town's Peace Pole, carrying the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in different languages, as well as a Holy Thorn tree planted after Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Guests gathered in a circle for the formal dedication, which included a Call for Peace, prayers, music and a period of shared reflection. The Unity Candle was lit and a Silent Minute observed, continuing a tradition inspired by Wellesley Tudor Pole, founder of the Chalice Well Trust, who believed in the power of collective stillness and goodwill.

After the ceremony, guests moved to the Council Chamber for refreshments. Mayor Cllr Zoe Price presented Princess Esther with a replica of the Iron Age Glastonbury Bowl, chosen as a symbol of the town's heritage and the values marked during the day.

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The visit ended with a walk up Glastonbury Tor. With fine weather and wide views across Somerset, Princess Esther was able to experience one of the town's best-known landmarks first-hand.

Glastonbury Town Council said the visit brought people together "in a spirit of friendship, peace and mutual respect". The council also thanked everyone who helped make the occasion possible.

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