LONDON (CU)_ As the Muslim community across the world mark the end of Ramadan this week, the Prince of Wales shared a personal message marking the religious holiday. Addressing the community in a video message, Prince Charles highlighted the challenges Muslims faced this year during Ramadan, amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
“This last year I know has been deeply challenging for us all and I’m only too aware of the impact of the pandemic on the Muslim community,” he said.
The heir to the throne went on to address the difficulties of those who lost loved ones over the past year, highlighting the fact that he could personally relate to their pain since his father Prince Philip passed away earlier last month.
“This year, too many families like my own will have an empty seat at their dinner table and friends are no longer able to share the celebratory hug after Eid prayers,” he said. “I can only say how deeply saddened I am by this tragic situation and how my heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones.”
Since the funeral service of the Duke of Edinburgh on 17 April, Prince Charles made his first public appearance last week, when he visited the Welsh Guards at their barracks in Windsor, and thanked them for their participation in his father’s funeral.
“I was so enormously proud of those of you who formed part of the complement during my father’s funeral recently,” he said during the visit. “If I may say so, what a wonderful credit not only to the Welsh Guards but also the Households Division and all those who were on parade, for what you all did.”
The Prince of Wales noted that the royal family was “deeply moved” by their participation in the event, adding that the Welsh Guards did his father proud.
“[…] I know my father would have been also enormously touched because he had dreamt up this particular way he wanted it done,” he continued. “So you did him proud — and you certainly did make your old Colonel very proud indeed.”
