King Charles Expresses Heartfelt Pride During Charity Exhibition Visit
King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a special appearance at an exhibition in London, where the monarch told artisans supported by a charity he founded two decades ago, "I'm so proud of you all." The royal couple attended the event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Turquoise Mountain, a charitable organisation established by Charles when he was Prince of Wales in 2006.
A Royal Tour of Traditional Craftsmanship
The exhibition, held at The Garrison Chapel within Chelsea Barracks, showcased the remarkable work of artisans from Afghanistan, Jordan, Myanmar, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia. Former politician Rory Stewart, who co-hosts The Rest Is Politics podcast and serves as founding director of Turquoise Mountain, guided the King and Queen through the displays alongside his wife Shoshana, the charity's president.
During the visit, King Charles engaged directly with the craftspeople. Fayza Al-Mansouri, a palm weaver from Saudi Arabia, demonstrated her technique to the monarch, who inquired if she learned the art from her mother. The King's words of encouragement highlighted his personal commitment to the charity's mission of preserving cultural heritage through traditional crafts.
Personal Connections and Cultural Exchange
The royal couple received traditional Syrian jewellery boxes as gifts, each bearing their ciphers and featuring exquisite mother of pearl inlay crafted by Moataz Hammoush. Hammoush, who learned his craft from his father in Syria and now operates a workshop in Amman, Jordan employing over 20 artisans, expressed profound emotion about the experience.
"It's very difficult to describe the feeling," Hammoush told the Press Association through a translator. "It's a mix between being very proud to present my work to King Charles, and the fact that it's being recognised by him, and seen by him, and also received by him. It's something that I'm really proud of."
He added that seeing the King handle the mother of pearl pieces made him proud of his craft, traditions, and cultural heritage. The artisan credited Turquoise Mountain with connecting him to markets, brands, and designers that would otherwise have been inaccessible.
Overcoming Challenges with Royal Vision
Shoshana Stewart, the charity's president, paid tribute to King Charles's foundational role during the exhibition opening. "This is the community of people, Your Majesty, that you have put together," she stated. "Above all, I want to thank you. There is no one else who could have created this project."
Mrs Stewart acknowledged the significant challenges Turquoise Mountain has faced in its operational regions, including the ongoing conflict in Palestine and the 2021 coup in Myanmar. Despite these obstacles, she emphasized that the King's original vision for the charity continues to exert a "powerful" influence worldwide, supporting artisans in accessing global markets while providing crucial training and employment opportunities.
The exhibition, titled "Craftsmanship and Community: 20 Years of Turquoise Mountain," opens to the public on February 12 at The Garrison Chapel, offering visitors a glimpse into two decades of cultural preservation and economic empowerment through traditional arts.
