Prince Charles and Camilla join Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel at British Asian Trust bash
‘My Mehbooba’: Charles uses Camilla’s pet name (which means ‘my beloved’ in Urdu) in speech to Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel at British Asian Trust event – their first joint outing since Her Majesty backed the Duchess becoming Queen Consort
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall joined politicians at a British Asian Trust reception on WednesdayCharles looked dapper in black tie while Camilla looked resplendent in an emerald green ensembleTheir first joint engagement since the Queen revealed she would like Camilla to be known as ‘Queen Consort’
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Prince Charles referred to Camilla by her pet name in a speech at a British Asian Trust event – their first joint engagement since the announcement that the Duchess will become Queen Consort.
Charles, 73, called his wife ‘my Mehbooba’, which means ‘my beloved’ or ‘my darling’ in Urdu, in an address to 350 guests including Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
He said: ‘I cannot quite believe it is almost two years to the day that both my mehbooba and myself were able to be with all of you to celebrate the work of the British Asian Trust.
‘Since then, across the globe, there has been terrible loss of life from this dreadful pandemic and we have especially seen the devastating impact throughout south Asia.’
The black tie bash at the British Museum marked Charles and Camilla’s first joint appearance since the Queen announced her desire for Camilla to be given the title Queen Consort when Prince Charles ascends the throne.
Other guests included former Liverpool and Wales footballer Ian Rush, TOWIE’s Jasmine Walia, DJ Naughty Boy and film director Gurinder Chadha.
Prince Charles founded the British Asian Trust in 2007 to tackle widespread poverty, inequality and injustice in South Asia.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall led the arrivals at the annual British Asian Trust reception on Wednesday night
They were joined at the event by Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, pictured together left, and Priti Patel
Charles, 73, called his wife ‘my Mehbooba’, which means ‘my beloved’ or ‘my darling’ in Urdu, in an address to 350 guests
The Duchess of Cornwall looked resplendent in green. Right, Prince Charles speaks to Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the event
Prince Charles chatted to Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, whose father is an Indian billionaire, at the event
Camilla, 74, was resplendent in an emerald green velvet ensemble with an eye-catching emerald necklace
Prince Charles chatted to Priti Patel, who was among the 350 guests invited to the bash at the British Museum
Charles and Camilla made for a handsome couple as they made their way to the event at the British Museum for the starry gala on Wednesday
Priti Patel, Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles pose with guests at the event
Colleagues Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak posed for a photograph at the event. Right, Camilla makes her entrance
The stunning setting of the event was the British Museum in central London, where Charles delivered a keynote speech
The royal couple greeted the Chancellor and Home Secretary at the reception and spent time chatting to guests.
Miss Patel wore a purple and gold lehnga, a traditional Indian skirt, with silver earrings and matching necklace. Mr Sunak, in black tie, was joined by his wife Akshata Murthy who wore an embroidered full-length white dress.
The Duchess of Cornwall opted for a green velvet embroidered tunic top with green palazzo pants by British designer Anna Valentine
The colour of the ensemble matched her breathtaking emerald necklace, bracelet and earrings, which were gifted to her as a set by the Saudi Arabian royal family.
In a speech to the trust’s supporters and ambassadors, Charles spoke about the ‘devastating impact’ the pandemic has had on south Asia.
Charles praised the ‘truly remarkable achievement’ of the BAT, which raised £20 million in four major fundraising campaigns during the pandemic.
Greeting ex-footballer Ian Rush, the prince said: ‘Didn’t you used to play?’ The Welsh sportsman laughed and replied: ‘Yes’
TOWIE’s Jasmine Walia (left) and film director Gurinder Chadha were among the VIP guests at the black tie bash
Camilla thanked people for their congratulations on the announcement she will become Queen Consort
Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha made the Prince of Wales laugh out loud when they saw each oter at tonight’s glitzy reception in central London
DJ Naughty Boy looked handsome on the red carpet (left). Home Secretary Priti Patel cut a beautiful figure in her lehnga, a traditional outfit
Priti Patel and Camilla, who were both wearing ultra glamourous outfits, were also spotted chatting away on the red carpet
Prince Charles used his affectionate pet name for Camilla in his speech to the VIP group at the British Museum, pictured
The Prince of Wales, who seemed in great spirits, exchanged a few words with the Home Secretary, while Camilla spoke with the Sunaks
‘It is fair, I think, to say that it has been when truly tested that the trust has shown its most outstanding qualities of resilience and commitment to helping people across south Asia,’ Charles said.
‘The future of south Asia truly depends on the children and young people of the region.
‘I am really so proud that there are so many of us with numerous intimate and family connections to south Asia who want to support them as they rebuild their lives in the face of this ghastly pandemic.’
Before his speech, Charles and Camilla greeted supporters and ambassadors of the BAT in the museum’s Egyptian Gallery.
They first spoke with Mr Sunak and Ms Patel before the four posed for photos.
Greeting Rush, the prince said: ‘Didn’t you used to play?’ The Welsh sportsman laughed and replied: ‘Yes.’
The Duchess of Cornwall spent time chatting to guests at the British Museum’s Egyptian Gallery, pictured
Charles appeared in good spirits and shook hands with some of the well-dressed attendees at the black tie bash
Prince Charles shared a light-hearted moment with one of the guests at the glittering event, attended by VIPs
Prince Charles spoke to DJ and producer Naughty Boy, left, in an animated fashion as the royals mingled with guests
The Duchess of Cornwall dazzled in her green velvet tunic and stunning emerald jewellery set at the British Asian Trust event
The Duchess of Cornwall greeted guests, some of whom congratulated her on the news she will become Queen Consort
The Duchess of Cambridge chatted to Home Secretary Priti Patel on the red carpet outside the event
Charles then asked how Liverpool were doing and whether the Welsh national team would qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar. ‘They have a chance,’ Rush said.
The duchess later thanked ambassadors Neev Spencer and Ritula Shah as they congratulated her after the Queen’s announcement that she would become Queen Consort.
Hitan Mehta, executive director of the trust, said that it was ‘amazing’ to be able to host the royal couple at the reception after it was not held last year due to the pandemic.
He said: ‘It is amazing to be able to bring the whole community together with his royal highness to celebrate the work that we have done.’
Since first forming, The British Asian Trust has supported programs in education, livelihoods, mental health and anti-trafficking, and has made a real difference to the lives of more than 4.8million people in South Asia.
Prince Charles and Camilla arriving tonight. It marks the couple’s first joint engagement since the Queen announced her desire for Camilla to be given the title Queen Consort when Prince Charles ascends the throne
Around 5.8million children are believed to be working in forced labour in India. In Jaipur alone, tens of thousands are thought to be working 15-hour days in hazardous workshops, producing goods such as bangles and embroidery.
As part of the Child Labour Free Jaipur Initiative, BAT has been working with business, government and communities to remove child labour from supply chains and encourage child labour-free products in markets.
The Daily Mail revealed on Monday that Her Majesty gave her blessing to crown Camilla as Queen Consort – as opposed to Princess Consort – years ago and that Charles came close to announcing it in 2019.
The Queen chose her Jubilee weekend – the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne – to make the highly significant announcement and express her desire for her daughter-in-law to be fully acknowledged when Charles succeeds her.
She told the nation: ‘When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes king, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me, and it is my sincere wish that, when the time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.’
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy were a striking pair, him in a suit and box tie and her in an ornate white number. Akshata’s dress had a beautiful flower detail and an asymmetrical designer. She wore it with a white bag
The couple were beaming as they arrived, with Camilla standing close to Charles. Guests congratulated the Duchess of Cornwall after the Queen’s announcement that she would become Queen Consort.
Ian opted for a purple suit while his partner wore an elegant back dress with an eye-catching pashmina. Film director Gurinder Chadha picked a very stylish black gown with a metallic flower detail on the hem, right
Stepping on the scene! Priti Patel donned a very glamourous look for tonight’s event in an embroidered lehnga and matching heels
Former Liverpool and Wales footballer Ian Rush attended the reception with his partner Carol Anthony. Meanwhile, Neev Spence looked stunning in her black gown as guests descended onto the red carpet
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were greeted on their way into the British Museum for the event on Monday nigh
The Chancellor and his wife looked very relaxed on the red carpet at tonight’s event, which was hosted by BBC broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake and Reshmin Chowdhury, a sports presenter for BT Sport and the BBC
