King Charles applauded for landmark year of firsts, including Ramadan iftar

King Charles is earning widespread praise for championing inclusivity after Windsor Castle hosted a Ramadan iftar and an LGBTQ+ lecture, both firsts in the historic venue's centuries-old history.

A newly released report from the Royal Collection Trust, which manages the royal palaces, revealed a concerted effort over the past year to put "inclusion and diversity" at the forefront of royal events. 

The result: a year of powerful milestones that brought marginalized communities into the heart of Britain’s most iconic royal spaces.

In February, during LGBTQ+ History Month, the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace hosted its first-ever queer history event.

Titled "Queer Art and Artists in the Royal Collection", the online lecture was led by assistant curator Alice de Quidt, who reminded attendees that, “Diverse forms of love and identity have always existed, but they have all too often been left out of history or rewritten entirely.”

“February gives us an opportunity to resurrect this history, bring it to the fore, and celebrate it.”

In March, Windsor Castle opened its doors to its first-ever Open Iftar - the evening meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan. 

Organized in partnership with the Ramadan Tent Project, the event welcomed 350 guests to St George’s Hall for a communal meal rooted in reflection, community, and faith.

Omar Salha, founder and CEO of the Ramadan Tent Project, called King Charles “an excellent ambassador for this cause,” adding, “We are incredibly grateful for his support towards the British Muslim community.”

The King and Queen Consort had previously marked Ramadan with a visit to Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, meeting members of London’s Syrian community in a gesture of solidarity and support.

In a written message on Commonwealth Day, King Charles reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating cultural and religious differences, writing:

“In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength… the Commonwealth's remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.”

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