King Charles III received members of the Asian community who fled to the UK from Uganda 50 years ago at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, earning praise for sending a “wonderful message” in the current migration climate.
The fact that the king decided to make his first major event a “multicultural” one was significant, said veteran broadcaster Jon Snow.
Snow, a former Channel 4 News presenter, reported on Ugandan dictator Idi Amin’s decision to expel Asians in 1972.
He attended the reception at the palace along with Ugandan Asians, leading figures and charities that supported the displaced.
Snow later co-hosted a palace recollection, readings and music to mark the 50-year milestone, during which actor-comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar poked fun at the king’s relationship with new prime minister Rishi Sunak, whose Asian parents They grew up in East Africa. .
“The expulsion of the Asian population was a traumatic and murderous experience for those affected and it also devastated the Ugandan economy,” Snow told guests.
“Today we enjoy what Uganda was once private, an innovative and dedicated population of motivated people who have done so much to drive our own economy and our own well-being.
“Uganda’s loss has shown Britain’s matchless gain.”
The date of the coronation of King Charles is announced, in images
Paying tribute to the king, who helped found the British Asian Trust that organized the event, Bhaskar praised him for his “recognition, encouragement and affection” for the British-Asian community, which has been “second to none”.
In a playful reference to the king’s weekly audiences with Sunak, he said: “Although that was before he had to meet with one every week, the same man every week.”
Bhaskar joked about the image of the nagging Asian aunt whom the king might call if the prime minister were a “little bit naughty”.
And the audience laughed when he spoke of the “secret cabal of Asian women of a certain age who might have a word in their ear: I like to call them Illuminati.”
King Charles III visits Scotland, in pictures
The event was the first major royal engagement at Buckingham Palace since royal mourning ended following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
It marked dictator Amin’s brutal expulsion of Uganda’s Asian minority of some 80,000 people, who were given 90 days to leave the country.
The government of then Prime Minister Edward Heath opened the door to some 28,000 Asian Ugandans who fled to the UK to start a new life.
Lord John Sentamu, the former Archbishop of York who was a lawyer working in Uganda at the time and spoke out against Amin, told guests that Asian Ugandans were “one of the great successes and a tremendous asset to this country.” ”.
The clergyman sang the Ugandan national anthem with Snow and fellow presenter Jonathan Dimbleby when they met the king at an earlier reception, and Snow later said the king enjoyed the moment they gave him a “nice blast.”
The 13 residences of King Charles III throughout the United Kingdom, in pictures
On the contribution of Asian Ugandans, he said: “If you think about how historically recent this was, the impact they have had on the British economy is absolutely incredible.
“And I also think with King Charles, making his first big public moment multicultural sends a wonderful message.”
The King also spoke with Baroness Virginia Bottomley and Sir Peter Bottomley, MP, who opened their home to Razia Jetha and her late husband Roshan when they arrived from Uganda in 1972.
“The situation was so dire that we felt we had to do something and Peter went to the reception camp at West Malling and returned to the Jethas,” Baroness Bottomley said, hand in hand with Razia.
Sunak appointed Prime Minister by King Charles at Buckingham Palace — video
“It was kind of a miraculous and wonderful experience because we really liked each other and I learned a lot from the Jethas.
“What I couldn’t get over was the grace, the sense of forgiveness.
“Most people when all of their property, all of their business had been seized, they would be angry, but not the Jethas.
“They went straight to work.”
Razia replied, “We also learned from you.”
The king also held a reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the achievements of Olympic and Paralympic medalists.
The sports stars who won gold, silver and bronze at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Winter Games were received by Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.
The King and his wife were accompanied by the Earl of Wessex, Patron of the British Paralympic Association, the Princess Royal, President of the British Olympic Association, and the Duke of Gloucester.
The gathering of top royals was marked by a group photo, which was republished after the reception attended by some 150 sports stars.
Tom Daley, who won gold in Tokyo in the men’s synchronized 10m platform with diving partner Matty Lee this year, was attending his fourth Olympic reception at the palace and recalled how the queen said maybe she should have been a gymnast, due to his short stature.
Mr. Lee said of his conversation with the king, “We were talking about how you can roll over and make a splash.
“We talked about how we make a hole in the water, so we don’t splash, and I said if we make a mistake, it can hurt a lot.
“And he said, ‘I don’t know how you do that.’ It’s crazy to have a conversation with the king.
“I didn’t think I’d be talking about belly bumps on a Wednesday night with the king.”
Prince William urged ‘Netflix and chill’ during his visit to the African film festival
The Prince of Wales was advised he should “Netflix and chill” as he traveled to the cinema to learn about the Royal African Society’s film festival on Wednesday.
Prince William attended The Garden Cinema in central London, where he heard that not enough black stories are being told on screen.
The heir to the throne sat in the audience for a question and answer session during the event, which aims to give young film students of African descent the opportunity to learn more about the industry, network with others and learn from professionals. international.
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit Northern Ireland, in pictures
The prince, who is a patron of the Royal African Society, also joined the workshop groups and listened to the experiences of the students.
When he expressed an interest in seeing more African films, he was told he could “Netflix and kick back” – a somewhat risque slang term – with a new movie set to premiere on the streaming platform later this week.
EbonyLife TV and EbonyLife Films founder Mo Abudu spoke with Prince William in one of the small group discussions.
She suggested that he look the king’s horsemana film made by his company, which will premiere on Netflix on Friday.
It is a film adaptation of a play that tells the story of a tradition in Nigeria in which a king’s horseman would sacrifice himself so that he could serve his deceased ruler in the afterlife.
Prince William and his wife Kate visit Wales, in pictures
Of her conversation with Prince William, Ms Abudu told the PA news agency: “He said he hasn’t seen many African films, but he would like to and will see them.” the king’s horseman.
“I am excited that I was able to tell the prince about my film today.”
When asked what Prince William’s reaction was, he said: “I said you should ‘Netflix and chill’ and he nodded.”
During the participation in the cinema on Wednesday, Prince William listened attentively to students and experts about their experiences in the film industry.
Prince William and his wife Kate make their first visit to Wales since receiving their new titles — video
During the question-and-answer session, which also featured Ghanaian-American writer and actress Nana Mensah and fashion and costume designer Colleen Morris-Glennon, Ms. Abudu told those gathered in the screening room that ” black storytelling is key.”
“I think no matter what part of the world we come from, you can be from Africa, you can be American, you can be black British, you can be from the Caribbean,” he said.
“I just think there’s something about being a global black person and telling stories that reflect black consciousness that we should continue to do.
“Yes, our focus is telling black stories because not enough black stories are being told. So it’s not about ‘oh, is it reverse racism?’ No, it’s not. It’s really about diversity.”
He said there is also “great African literature” that should be explored on screen.
“We’ve had all the Jane Austen novels, we’ve had so many Westerns. Let’s do some new stuff, let’s do some great storytelling,” she said.
Prince William, Prince Harry and their wives make joint appearance in pictures
Established in 2011, Film Africa showcases the best African cinema from across the continent and diaspora in the UK.
This year’s festival features 48 films from 16 countries in seven venues, including 22 UK, European and world premieres.
Other festival events include talks and debates, professional workshops and master classes, school screenings and family activities.
Prince William’s trip to the cinema followed a symposium at St James’s Palace on Wednesday that brought together the winners of this year’s Tusk Conservation Awards, previous award winners and conservation experts.
The prince attended the Tusk Awards on Tuesday night.
Updated: November 03, 2022, 8:27 am
