Coronation of the Servant King

It was a huge honour and privilege to attend the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey last Saturday and be part of history in the making.The British Indian and South Asian community can relate to last weekend’s Coronation in multiple ways. King Charles’ day of destiny has been more than seven decades in the making and, during this period, he has championed many causes and global relationships - often well ahead of his time. Among them is a deep and abiding connection with India and the wider sub-continent. For example, he first visited India in 1975 and has made 9 official trips to the country and has also visited Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.As Prince of Wales, he founded the British Asian Trust, which I am honoured to Chair. I have therefore witnessed first-hand his passion for, and commitment to, the development of South Asia and engagement with the diaspora communities in the United Kingdom. The most recent example being a National Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the arrival of British Asians from Uganda, hosted personally by the King at Buckingham Palace last November.In turn, the diaspora communities have responded with equal enthusiasm finding someone who is genuinely interested in their experiences and challenges and shares many of their cultural values and family dilemmas. Mukesh Ambani, the Chair of the British Asian Trust’s Advisory Board in India, summed it up well: “he has remained coronated in the hearts of billions of people across the globe for a long time”.Indian culture and scriptures are rich in narratives about the ideal qualities and virtues of a King. Through all the pomp and circumstance - the glamorous guests, gowns and glitter - there was a profound message which came through loudly from His Majesty at the very outset of the Coronation ceremony: “I come not be served but to serve”. This golden thread of “sewa” or selfless service was weaved throughout the proceedings and over the whole weekend of activities - a theme which will resonate with Indians from all backgrounds.Although the Coronation is essentially a Christian service held in an ancient church, with a history dating back almost 1000 years, there was a concerted effort to include all faiths and reflect the multicultural diversity of modern Britain. The King was determined to shape the content in his own image and signal his own priorities. What could be more emblematic of this inclusivity than our first British Indian Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, a practising Hindu, reading a passage from the bible - and completely flawlessly.If Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II epitomised “duty” then her son Charles will take up the baton as monarch emphasising the theme of “service”. In turn, his heir and eventual successor Prince William - the new Prince of Wales - shows every sign of embodying “empathy”, a trait perhaps inherited from his late mother, Princess Diana. This is not just a line of succession in monarchs but also one in noble virtues.