British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru hosts King Charles’ coronation reception

BENGALURU: The British Deputy High Commission (BDHC) in Bengaluru celebrated the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen in Bengaluru on Saturday. Leaders and dignitaries from across the globe were invited to attend the service at London’s Westminster Abbey. India’s Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife represented India.

In Bengaluru, British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer, Harjinder Kang (trade commissioner to South Asia), and select guests of BDHC Bengaluru raised a toast to the king after the coronation. Iyer said, “The coronation of the king and queen is a significant cultural event for the United Kingdom. It also reflects the modern, diverse, multi-faith United Kingdom and particularly promoting the themes of youth, community, diversity, and sustainability. The King has had a long-standing interest in India and its diaspora. He has visited India several times, most recently in 2019, showing a keen interest in India’s culture, heritage, and traditions”.

According to a statement, King Charles has championed a wide range of causes relating to the environment and sustainable development, the arts, healthcare and education. His coronation reception in Bengaluru also reflected these values. The carbon footprint of the event was calculated using an emission calculator and offset by funding green initiatives. Avoiding the use of plastic and initiatives to adopt eco-friendly printing materials and energy-efficient screens helped minimise the environmental impact of the event, it said.

Iyer said the king is a vocal advocate for the Indian diaspora, recognising their many contributions to British society and promoting greater understanding between both cultures. He helped launch the Mangar Bani Elephant Corridor Restoration Project in 2019 and the UK-India Sustainable Finance Forum in 2021. He has a strong interest in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding and has met with leaders from various Indian religious communities, both in India and in the UK, the statement read.

Guests at the Bengaluru reception were treated to a typically British high tea and sundowner.