King, Queen Consort visit Banglatown in London

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla made a historic visit to the heart of the British Bengali community in Brick Lane, Banglatown, on Wednesday.

Arriving at Altab Ali Park, with singing from Sohini Alam in the background, the royal couple met community members who were actively involved in the anti-racism movement of the 1970s and 1980s.

Walking to the Shaheed Minar, the King and the Queen Consort spoke to young people from local schools who have worked on projects related to anti-racism, the preservation of the Bengali language and representatives of the Altab Ali Foundation.

They were then invited to plant a Dodoens Elm tree together in commemoration of the death of Altab Ali before departing via car to Brick Lane.

With primary school children and locals welcoming them to Brick Lane, the King and the Queen Consort paused at the Banglatown arch and the new street mural The Land is Calling, commissioned as part of the Bangladesh's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Later, accompanied by a dance procession, the duo walked a short distance to the Gram Bangla Restaurant to taste Bengali snacks.

The King and the Queen Consort also met women involved in the British Bangladeshi Power & Inspiration, demonstrating the strength and diversity of women of Bengali heritage.

They then moved towards the Brick Lane Mosque. Entering the Prayer Hall, the King and Queen Consort met a local author to learn about the unique history of the building from a church to a synagogue, to the present mosque.

Before their departure, they also had the opportunity to meet several community representatives, including the Brick Lane Funeral Service director and the East London Central Synagogue president.

The visit was hosted by the founders of the British Bangladeshi Power and Inspiration (BBPI), Ayesha Qureshi MBE JP, and Councillor Abdal Ullah.