The people of Luton today gave His Majesty The King a colourful and enthusiastic welcome on his first visit to Bedfordshire as monarch.
Laura Hutchinson of Luton Today reports here:
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/people/in-pictures-king-charles-visits-luton-town-hall-3943542
King Charles III met community leaders and volunteers in Luton Town Hall in the first of three official engagements in the town, which included Luton Town Hall, The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) & Luton’s Guru Nanak Gurudwara.
David Jonathan (Johny), Director, GRASSROOTS, Luton Council of Faiths and Near Neighbours Programme in Luton was invited to join several other faith and community leaders from Luton’s different faith communities at the newly built Luton’s Guru Nanak Gurudwara. He said, “It was an honour for the town that His Majesty King Charles visited Luton and he spent considerable time meeting and conversing with people. He listened to the children at the Gurudwara singing Kirtan (Sikh religious devotional singing). He encouraged volunteers at the Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen who serve free meals in the Town Centre to those in need. He also visited the massive new Kitchen at the Gurudwara where hot meals are cooked for hundreds every day.”
A short video clip of His Majesty King Charles visit to the Guru Nanak Gurudwara Luton can be viewed here. https://anthonymargiocchi.smugmug.com/King-Charles-III-visits-Guru-Nanak-Gurdwara-Luton/
Mayor of Luton Councillor Sameera Saleem said: “It was a great honour to welcome His Majesty The King to Luton to experience our town’s rich diversity and compassionate communities which make our town so special. It was lovely to see so many people from the different backgrounds that make up our wonderful town, come together to welcome His Majesty.
“We are so proud that The King got to meet local community groups who demonstrate every day that care and compassion are at the core of Luton’s ethos, talking about how the community always steps forward to support those who need help and the wide range of work that takes place to build cohesion across our town.”
His Majesty received a vibrant and warm welcome outside the Town Hall in George Street and spoke to local residents and community groups, including representatives from The Ghana Society, Royal British Legion, the Luton Town Football Academy and local veterans and cadets.
He also had the opportunity to listen to singing from the St Matthew’s Primary School Choir and music from the Luton Sixth Form Music Performance Group, before going into the town hall to meet people from local voluntary, faith and community organisations.
The King waved to the crowd from the balcony before unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit. He was presented with a gift of Luton Honey, courtesy of Colin Hall of the Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association.
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/people/in-pictures-king-charles-visits-luton-town-hall-3943542
His Majesty The King also visited Luton DART Parkway Station, learning about the new cable-drawn mass passenger transit system which will connect Luton Airport Parkway rail station to London Luton Airport in just over three minutes. He met apprentices who worked on the DART as well as voluntary and community organisations that have received funding from Luton Rising, the council’s airport company.
Since the start of his reign so many of King’s engagements have been about championing diversity and celebrating an inclusive Britain. The King actively supports all communities, all faiths.
Britain's King Charles III greets members of the public as he visits Luton Town Hall. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
King Charles III before visiting Luton Town Hall, checks out the medals on this proud veteran's chest
(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
His Majesty The King waved to the crowd from the Luton Town Hall balcony before unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit.
His Majesty The King also visited Luton DART the new cable-drawn mass passenger transit system which will connect Luton Airport Parkway rail station to London Luton Airport in just over three minutes.
The monarch visited a new Sikh temple (Pic Courtesy Sky News)
Prof Zafar Khan (R), Chair Luton Council of Faiths, was one amongst many faith & community leaders who were greeted by HM King Charles during his visit to Luton Town Hall.
Prof Zafar Khan (L), Chair Luton Council of Faiths, was one amongst many faith & community leaders who were greeted by HM King Charles during his visit to Luton Town Hall.
Hon Lay Canon Peter Adams of St Mary’s Church Luton and also a representative of Churches Together in Luton greeted by HM King Charles during his visit to Luton Town Hall.
Many faith & community leaders were greeted by HM King Charles during his visit to Luton Town Hall.