In a heartwarming display of community spirit, King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Darjeeling Express, an Indian restaurant nestled in Kingly Court, Soho, Central London. The royal couple's presence was part of an effort to aid preparations for Ramadan by packing food for local hospitals. The visit was marked by the Queen's unexpected search for the King, who had wandered off mid-engagement.
Their Majesties actively participated in packing dates into small bags, which would be distributed to various hospitals during Ramadan. In a moment of levity, King Charles humorously remarked on his packing speed, quipping that he was "past his sell-by date."
During their visit, the King and Queen had the opportunity to meet a diverse group of British Syrians, including professionals from various fields such as filmmaking, medicine, electricity, and legal advisory. Among them was Imad, the founder of Imad's Syrian Kitchen. Imad shared his remarkable journey with the King; he once owned three restaurants in Damascus but lost everything during the war. Arriving in the UK as a refugee in 2015 with only £12, Imad has since rebuilt his life and career.
King Charles received a copy of Imad's book, Imad's Syrian Kitchen: A Love Letter from Damascus to London, as a gesture of appreciation for their meeting. The book serves as a testament to Imad's resilience and passion for culinary arts.
The royal engagement also included conversations with prominent figures such as Bafta-winning and Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Waad Jarkas and her husband, Hamza Al-Kateab. Hamza is currently pursuing a PhD in medical evacuation in siege situations at King's College London. The King expressed his support for emerging democracies while discussing matters with the British Syrian community.
In addition to these interactions, the King and Queen met with several Muslim women leaders, including professional rugby player Zainab Alema and author Hajera Memon. These meetings underscored the royal couple's commitment to supporting diverse communities and recognizing their contributions.
Queen Camilla further extended her support by assisting staff in packing boxes of biryani for Doorstep, a charity dedicated to aiding families by providing necessary goods and services while they await permanent housing solutions.
The visit to Darjeeling Express formed part of the royal couple's preparations for Ramadan, which was set to commence on Friday evening and continue until March 30. Their involvement highlighted the importance of community service and outreach during this significant period.
