The royals met with councillors, local MPs, community volunteers, youth representatives, emergency services, and faith representatives at a town hall reception today
King Charles met with local volunteers, faith representatives, and front line staff today (20th December), Credit: Penny Dampier
King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Waltham Forest Town Hall today in celebration of the anti-racist protest that galvanised the borough in August.
The royals met with councillors, local MPs, community volunteers, youth representatives, emergency services, front line staff and faith representatives.
Former asylum seeker Usman Khan, who now runs Haven Cafe, served refreshments at the reception while A Little Choir of Joy, made up of children from Waltham Forest schools, performed festive songs.
Queen Camilla also donated teddies and children’s toys to Citizens UK who will work with the Salvations Army to distribute them to asylum seeker families in hotels in the borough. Citizens UK Waltham Forest is currently working to lobby the Mayor of London to implement free bus travel for asylum seekers in the capital.
Queen Camilla hands a bag of teddies to George Gaillet, the Waltham Forest organiser for CitizensUK, Credit: Penny Dampier
A donation of long-life milk, Christmas puddings, custard and mince pies for a local food bank was also left on the King’s behalf.
The King and Queen then greeted the public who had lined up in Fellowship Square before leaving for the William Morris Gallery where they were shown the current exhibition William Morris & Art from the Islamic World. They then set off from Lloyd Park by helicopter.
The 7th August protest the visit was in celebration of came at the tailend of a week of far-right riots across England that were sparked by false social media reports that the killer of three girls in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker.
The King and Queen meeting senior councillors including the Mayor of Waltham Forest Sharon Waldron, Conservative leader Emma Best, and deputy council leader Ahsan Khan, Credit: Penny Dampier
On the day, many Hoe Street shops were shut after the Metropolitan Police warned of potential “disruption and disorder” in the area. Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy and the council had relayed police advice for people to avoid Walthamstow town centre.
However, thousands of people opted to ignore the advice and attended te peaceful demonstration while no far-right members turned up.
The Mayor of Waltham Forest, councillor Sharon Waldron, said: “It was an honour to once again welcome Their Majesties The King and Queen to Waltham Forest today.
“Their visit allowed them to meet some of the amazing people and organisations that make up our wonderfully diverse borough, a special moment for us all to remember. I’m proud to be part of such a fantastic community where we warmly welcome and celebrate people from all over the world.”
People lined up outside the Town Hall to greet the King and Queen. One woman (far left) held a photograph of her meeting a young Charles many years ago, Credit: Penny Dampier
Council leader Grace Williams said: “I’m delighted that Their Majesties The King and Queen visited Waltham Forest to celebrate the community spirit and togetherness in our borough.
“I join them in recognising the vital and valuable contribution of our local faith leaders and community groups, as well as emergency services and front-line staff. They, alongside all our residents from different faiths and backgrounds, make Waltham Forest the strong and united community it is.”
Photographs courtesy of Penny Dampier
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