King Charles joked: “I may be past my sell-by date!” as he helped pack food donation boxes at an Indian restaurant in central London ahead of Ramadan. His Majesty, 76, made the lighthearted remark whilst visiting the female-run Darjeeling Express off Carnaby Street, Soho, opened by British restauranteur Asma Khan in 2017.
Charles and Camilla were first introduced to staff and leading British Muslim women including circuit judge Khatun Sapnara, crime author Saima Mir, Masterchef winner Saliha Mahmood Ahmed and businesswoman Shaheen Sayed of Accenture. The Queen went to the kitchen to help staff who were packing up boxes of delicious-smelling biryani which will be sent to Doorstep, a charity which assists families by providing goods and services to make their lives more comfortable as they await a permanent housing solution.
It is part of Darjeeling Express’s commitment to cook for charitable causes every Ramadan. She was told how the huge pots of curry were made and then invited to try her hand ladling a portion into a takeaway box. “Shall I have a try? Just dig right into the bottom,” she said, wielding a large spoon.
“A bit from the bottom and a bit from the top? Is that enough or some more? They might still be a bit hungry after my portion.”. While the King wasn’t meant be joining instead - he was meeting guests instead - the Camilla wasn’t having any of it.
“I think my husband is supposed to be doing this,’”she laughed. “Gentleman, we are waiting!” she added, brandishing her box. When King Charles didn’t respond the Queen decided to go off herself and try to find him, box in hand, waving at him and coughing loudly to try and get his attention.
His Majesty spotted her and good-naturedly came over. “Is it chicken and proper basmati rice? he enquired. The king was delighted when he was told that some of the curry was being sent to the palace for him to get later and happily got stuck in ladling too.
“Fantastic, look at that!” He said jollily. He and his wife then sat down to pack dates into white paper bags that will be sent for Iftaar (the fastbreaking evening meal) to hospitals during the Muslim holy month. Traditionally, dates are eaten as the first food to break the fast at sunset, following the example of the Prophet Mohammed.
“So they only get one date?” the king asked as he packaged up the fruit and passed it back to Ms Khan. “Sorry I didn’t realise the King would be so fast!”, she exclaimed. “You are packing them faster than I can seal them! I never realised this was such a speedy couple. We have a relay going on here.”.
Charles got the giggles at this. When a member of the media remarked they had a production line going, the king said: “We don’t waste time. Paid by results!”. During Ramadan, Ms Khan donates the restaurant’s entire proceeds to charity and sends food packages to hospitals as part of the Zakat al Fitr, a charitable donation of food to the poor and needy before the end of Ramadan.
The King and Queen have long shown support for other faiths in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth. As Prince of Wales, His Majesty met leaders of all the main faiths and denominations, and visited many sacred sites and places of worship across the world.
