British Monarch King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, paid a visit to an Indian restaurant in London to participate in Ramadan preparations. The royal couple dropped in at Darjeeling Express, owned by British-Indian chef Asma Khan, and helped package dates for donations.
During their visit, the royal couple met a group of Muslim women, spoke to artists and businesswomen and even helped the all-female kitchen team pack biryani boxes for donation ahead of the Islamic holy month.
The King and Queen lend a hand at the Darjeeling Express
Darjeeling Express started as a dinner for 12 guests at home, serving Indian food lovingly cooked from family recipes that go back generations. ​Darjeeling Express has declared that the food is a true homage to its royal Mughlai ancestry and the busy streets of Calcutta, where it grew up.Â
What results is a lovely mélange of street food like channa chaat and slow-cooked tamatar gosht, which takes people on a journey from Calcutta in the east of India to Hyderabad in the south. According to them, the food there is served the way Indian food is meant to be eaten – platters of dishes boasting texture and flavors complementing each other, encouraging people to gather and share in the traditional ‘daawat’ (feast) style.
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​An all-women team of housewives runs the kitchen at Darjeeling Express and has been doing so from day one. According to them, what you will taste is home-style food, cooked with passion and the aim to nourish the body and soul.
The royal couple’s visit to Darjeeling Express was ceremonial and hands-on. The royal family’s social media handles shared a video of the couple on Instagram, showing the King and Queen being welcomed by chef-owner Asma Khan.
“Packing dates at Darjeeling Express! Traditionally, dates are eaten as the first food to break the fast at sunset during Ramadan. Their Majesties helped pack dates that will be sent to local hospitals for Iftaar during the holy month,” read the caption.
The post’s caption described the celebration of British Muslim women at @DarjeelingLdn, including professional athletes, artists, and corporate leaders. The King and Queen spent time with extraordinary women as they prepared for Ramadan.
“Their Majesties joined the restaurant’s all-female kitchen team to pack biryani into boxes. These will be given to families supported by Doorstep as part of Darjeeling Express’ commitment to cook for charitable causes every Ramadan,” it continued.
The caption further emphasized that Ramadan is a significant time for Muslims, daily life continues as usual during this time, but spiritual focus intensifies. Observing Ramadan could mean a range of things as this gathering would be an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and creativity of Muslim women and the beauty of the holy month.
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It was reported that during their visit, the royal couple met professional rugby player Zainab Alema and author Hajera Memon, among others. While King Charles spoke to artists and businesswomen, Queen Camilla helped staff in the kitchen team pack biryani boxes to donate to Doorstep, this charity helps families by providing goods and services to make their lives more comfortable as they await permanent housing.
The UK King and Queen also met Masterchef winner and Doctor Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed. They also helped pack dates in small bags to be sent to hospitals during Ramadan. Chef Asma Khan’s Darjeeling Express has gained international recognition for its outstanding food and dedication to social causes.Â
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s heartwarming act of charity embodies the spirit of Ramadan. Initiatives like Qatar’s “Giving Lives On” campaign, which aims to benefit 4.5 million people in need across 40 countries, remind us that the true essence of this holy month lies in unity, generosity, and compassion that transcends borders.Â