Prince William has issued a personal statement to express his sorrow after the news of a sad death. Yesterday, it was revealed that Windrush pioneer, Alford Gardner, who once told how he "didn’t expect to be part of history" has died aged 98. Alford was presented with a Mirror Pride of Britain award last year by William when they met alongside his whole family and legends of the cricket world at Headingley Cricket Ground.
And taking to X today to pay tribute, William said: "I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Alford Gardner, one of the last surviving passengers of the Empire Windrush. "I was delighted to spend some time with him last summer and hear his story. As a leading figure in the Caribbean community in West Yorkshire, he changed the lives of so many with his courage and positivity.
He leaves behind a legacy for us all to be proud of and will be remembered for his warmth, his courage, and of course his unwavering love of cricket! W" Jamaican-born Alford was from a generation of Caribbean workers, who helped rebuild post-war Britain. They were invited to the UK to work in sectors such as the NHS and on transport networks and between 1948 and 1971, more than 500,000 men and women created a new life here. Last year Alford, who was only one of two surviving passengers on the original Windrush voyage in 1948, received a Pride of Britain award on their behalf.
The Windrush legend, who set up Britain's first Caribbean cricket club after arriving in the UK, was left stun.