Embassy of Poland, London

Last updated
Ambasada Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w Londynie
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London
Polish Embassy 47 Portland Place London.jpg
Embassy of Poland, London
Location Marylebone, London
Address47 Portland Place, London, W1B 1JH
Coordinates 51°31′15″N0°08′44″W / 51.5208°N 0.1456°W / 51.5208; -0.1456 Coordinates: 51°31′15″N0°08′44″W / 51.5208°N 0.1456°W / 51.5208; -0.1456
Ambassador Piotr Wilczek

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London (Polish : Ambasada Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w Londynie) is the diplomatic mission of Poland in the United Kingdom. [1] It is located on Portland Place next to the High Commission of Kenya building. [2] It forms part of a group of Grade II* listed buildings in Portland Place. [3]

Contents

History Involving the Embassy of Poland in London, Main Chancery Building

Shortly after regaining independence in 1918, there seemed to be a general feeling of ambivalence towards Britain demonstrated by most Polish statesmen, as if they were neglecting British relations, who played a major role in helping to re-establish the post-World War I – Second Polish Republic. However, with newly restored independence, the country's government instead concentrated on shoring up good relations with traditional ally France, and immediate neighbour Germany.

As a result of this focus, it was not until 1929 that the first Polish legation was sent to establish a permanent embassy in London. The establishment of this Polish embassy building in London would go on to play one of the most important roles of Poland's history.

By the late 1930s when world war was once again becoming inevitable, the government of the Second Polish Republic requested the necessary military aid from the British government; as Poland was still rebuilding civilian infrastructure from the aftermath of World War I. The government also signed a three-way mutual defence pact with the United Kingdom and France with the original intent being to make sure an independent and sovereign, democratic Poland would never again have to stand alone against a German invasion. Thus, much of the bureaucracy surrounding these pre-war pacts found itself centred in the halls and corridors of number 47, Portland Place.

As the first several months of World War II progressed, it became necessary for the transfer of the Second Polish Republic first to France, and then to London, where the Polish Embassy established ten years earlier in Portland Place became not only the nerve centre of Polish relations with the United Kingdom, but of the entire Polish Foreign Office. The embassy soon had to acquire a number of other buildings throughout the city in order to house the large number of diplomats and politicians required to make the government in exile work. For a long time, this building represented democratic Poland, fighting for its freedom and its territorial integrity.

Then, immediately after World War II, when Poland (1945–1989) was forced to become a satellite state of the Soviet Union due to Soviet takeover and decisions made on behalf of Poland without representatives present at the Yalta Conference, the British government suddenly refused to recognise the government in exile [4] and thus the London Poles (Officials of the Polish government in exile, now from their own embassy building – as they were referred to) were forced to vacate the Polish embassy on Portland Place and so, were left only with the president-in-exile's private residence at 43 Eaton Place, whilst in the meantime officials of the newly recognized communist regime moved squarely into the original Georgian-era embassy building.

It wasn't until the fall of Communism, the Soviet Union, the Berlin Wall, the end of the Polish United Workers' Party, and the re-establishment of democratic rule under President Lech Wałęsa in 1990, that the embassy at 47 Portland Place was vacated once again; this time of the communist regime in 1989, to once again become the official seat of the primary diplomatic legation of the original Polish Republic to the United Kingdom.

It was here in the Polish Embassy in London that the initial processes to repatriate the official presidential seal and symbols of office (which had previously been evacuated to London with the government in exile at the beginning, and for the duration, of World War II and all of the years of Soviet influence) to finally re-establish in 1990 a free and democratic Poland to the Polish people living in Poland.

In 2018, It was reported by the BBC that the Polish Embassy funded Far Right speakers at a UK event in 2017. [5]

In August 2020 people demonstrated outside the embassy in protest of the Polish Stonewall events. [6]

Other sections and the Sikorski Institute

The Sikorski Institute and Museum is a Polish cultural information centre and the embassy's section for the promotion of Polish tourism, culture and history. To this end the institute also includes, at its South Kensington site, a museum of Polish history. The museum is largely dedicated to Polish military history and includes a large number of exhibits relating to the time spent by the Polish authorities as the 'Polish Government in Exile' in London.

Other Polish embassy sections in London include the Consular, Economic & Cultural Sections. The first deals with all documentation for foreigners requiring a visa or other permission whose intent it is to travel to Poland or the Schengen area. Additionally the consular officers deal with passport applications and confirmations of Polish citizenship made both by foreigners and Polish nationals, they offer birth registration services and can offer information and guidance on many other topics ranging from death of a loved one abroad or transfer of the body to Poland to legal services and recommendations for personal safety.

Poland maintains the Consular, Cultural Institute & Economic Sections at Bravura House, 10 Bouverie Street, Blackfriars. The Polish Cultural Institute was formerly located at 52–53 Poland Street, Soho. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

Diplomatic mission Group of people from one state present in another state to represent the sending state

A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase usually denotes an embassy, which is the main office of a country's diplomatic representatives to another country; it is usually, but not necessarily, based in the receiving state's capital city. Consulates, on the other hand, are smaller diplomatic missions that are normally located in major cities of the receiving state. As well as being a diplomatic mission to the country in which it is situated, an embassy may also be a nonresident permanent mission to one or more other countries.

Polish government-in-exile Government of Poland in exile (1939–1990)

The Polish government-in-exile, officially known as the Government of the Republic of Poland in exile, was the government in exile of Poland formed in the aftermath of the Invasion of Poland of September 1939, and the subsequent occupation of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union, which brought to an end the Second Polish Republic.

Protecting power Country that represents a second country to a third country

A protecting power is a country that represents another sovereign state in a country where it lacks its own diplomatic representation. It is common for protecting powers to be appointed when two countries break off diplomatic relations with each other. The protecting power is responsible for looking after the protected power's diplomatic property and citizens in the hosting state. If diplomatic relations were broken by the outbreak of war, the protecting power will also inquire into the welfare of prisoners of war and look after the interests of civilians in enemy-occupied territory.

Poland–United Kingdom relations Bilateral relations

British–Polish relations are the bilateral relations between the countries of United Kingdom and Poland. Exchanges between the two countries date back to medieval times, when Britain and Poland, then one of Europe's largest countries, were linked by trade and diplomacy. As a result of the 18th-century Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth by its neighbours, the number of Polish immigrants to Britain increased in the aftermath of two 19th-century uprisings which forced much of Poland's social and political elite into exile. A number of Polish exiles fought in the Crimean War on the British side.

Hungary–United States relations Bilateral relations

According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 38% of Hungarians approve of U.S. leadership, with 20% disapproving and 42% uncertain, a decrease from 53% approval in 2011. According to a 2018 poll, 68% of Hungarians view the United States favorably.

Embassy of Australia, Moscow

The Embassy of Australia in Moscow is the diplomatic mission of Australia to the Russian Federation. The current head of post and Ambassador of Australia to the Russian Federation is Graeme Meehan. The embassy serves as the diplomatic mission for Australia to the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The chancery is located at 10A/2 Podkolokolny Lane in the Tagansky District of Moscow.

Embassy of Poland, Paris

The Embassy of Poland in Paris is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Poland to the French Republic. The chancery is located in the Hôtel de Monaco on the Rue de Talleyrand.

Baltic Legations (1940–1991) Missions of exiled Baltic diplomatic services from 1940 to 1991

The Baltic Legations were the missions of the exiled Baltic diplomatic services from 1940 to 1991. After the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states in 1940, the Baltic states instructed their diplomats to maintain their countries' legations in several Western capitals. Members of the Estonian diplomatic service, the Latvian diplomatic service and the Lithuanian diplomatic service continued to be recognised as the diplomatic representatives of the independent pre-World War II states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, whose annexation by the Soviet Union was not recognised by the United States, the United Kingdom, or France. The legations provided consular services to exiled citizens of the Baltic states from 1940 to 1991.

Embassy of Lithuania, Washington, D.C. Diplomatic mission of Lithuania to USA

Embassy of Lithuania in Washington, D.C., is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States. It is located at 2622 16th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C., in the Adams Morgan neighborhood.

History of United States diplomatic relations by country Historical aspect of American foreign relations

This is a summary history of diplomatic relations of the United States listed by country. The history of diplomatic relations of the United States began with the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as U.S. Minister to France in 1778, even before the U.S. had won its independence from Great Britain in 1783.

Embassy of China, London

The Embassy of China in London is the diplomatic mission of China in the United Kingdom. Established in 1877 as the Chinese Legation, the London mission was China's first permanent overseas diplomatic mission. It has served as the diplomatic mission of the Manchu Qing Empire, Republic of China and the People's Republic of China. It was the location of the Qing Empire's detention of Sun Yat-sen, an important episode in the Chinese revolution of 1911. It remains today the focal point for events relating to China held in the United Kingdom, including celebrations in 2012 to commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and the People's Republic of China.

Embassy of the United Kingdom, Tokyo

The British Embassy, Tokyo is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in Japan, with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Japan being the chief of mission. The embassy compound measures about 35,000 m2, located at No 1 Ichibanchō, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, to the west of the Imperial Palace, and separated from the latter by a moat.

Embassy of Austria, London

The Embassy of Austria in London is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Austria in the United Kingdom. The embassy is located at 18 Belgrave Mews West in the Belgravia area of London, and the residence of the ambassador is located at 18 Belgrave Square.

Embassy of Iran, London Diplomatic mission of Iran in the United Kingdom

The Embassy of Iran in London is the diplomatic mission of Iran in the United Kingdom. It is located in a terrace overlooking Hyde Park in South Kensington, Westminster, London, next to the embassy of Ethiopia. Iran also maintains a Consular Section at 50 Kensington Court, South Kensington. The embassy building, along with the Ethiopian Embassy and the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, is one of a group of Grade II listed stucco buildings.

Mexico–Poland relations Bilateral relations

Mexico–Poland relations are the bilateral relations between the United Mexican States and the Republic of Poland. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.

Embassy of the United Kingdom, Beijing

The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Beijing is the chief diplomatic mission of the United Kingdom in the People's Republic of China. It is one of Britain's largest overseas embassies. It is located at 11 Guang Hua Lu, in the Chaoyang District. The current British Ambassador to China is Caroline Wilson.

Colombia–Poland relations Bilateral relations

Colombia–Poland relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Colombia and Poland. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Vincas Balickas was a Lithuanian diplomat. He was the Lithuanian representative to the United Kingdom from 1967 to 1993. Posted to London in 1938, he continued to represent interwar Lithuania despite the Soviet occupation in 1940 thus preserving the state continuity of Lithuania.

References

  1. ↑ "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-11.
  2. ↑ "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-11.
  3. ↑ Historic England, "41-47, PORTLAND PLACE W1 (1265549)", National Heritage List for England , retrieved 14 July 2016
  4. ↑ Editor Peter D. Stachura Chapter 4 by Wojciech Rojek The Poles in Britain 1940-2000 ISBN   0-7146-8444-9 Page 33
  5. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44601218
  6. ↑ Bretan, Juliette (18 August 2020). "Growing UK solidarity movement backs 'Polish Stonewall'". politics.co.uk. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  7. ↑ "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-11.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.