King Charles has expressed his admiration for the design and environmental credentials of Cambridge Central Mosque, which is hailed as Europe's first eco-mosque. During a visit on Monday, the 77-year-old monarch praised "all the care and attention which has been lavished on it."
Royal Visit Highlights
Arriving in a maroon Bentley, Charles was greeted by cheering well-wishers outside the mosque. He first spoke with dignitaries in a paved garden area featuring a fountain before entering the building. Removing his shoes, he proceeded to the prayer hall, where he engaged with attendees. The King also joked with schoolchildren, expressing hope that he had not "ruined the holidays too much by dragging you in here."
Eco-Friendly Features
The mosque's sustainability features include solar panels on the roof and highly efficient heat pumps in the basement that generate more energy than they consume. Grey water and rainwater are collected for flushing toilets and irrigating the grounds. Large skylights provide natural lighting year-round, supplemented by low-energy LED bulbs. According to the mosque's website, these measures make it "Europe's first eco-mosque."
Plaque Unveiling and Speech
After putting his shoes back on, Charles unveiled a plaque commemorating the 75th anniversary of Cambridge being granted city status by King George VI. He remarked, "I'm so impressed by the quality of the design, of all the care and attention which has been lavished on it, and the fact you have a purpose-built mosque here with the community centre attached. It makes a huge contribution I'm sure not only to the Muslim community but to Cambridge itself." He concluded by congratulating the community and praying for their continued success in fostering interfaith harmony.
Community Reactions
Angharad Walter, 45, who brought her daughter Indigo, expressed surprise when Charles approached them. Indigo called the encounter "amazing" and "exciting," describing the King as "very nice and kind." Zeynep Coskun, a mosque trustee, said it was "such an honour to host the King" and noted his interest in the gardens and environmental features. She explained, "It's a hot summer day but it's still cool inside, it's all passive heating and cooling."
Additional Engagements
Later, Charles officially opened the new Whittle Laboratory, a centre for disruptive innovation in net zero aviation and energy. He had broken ground on the project in 2023 and previously visited in 2020 and 2022. The original Whittle Laboratory, opened in 1973 by Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine, was founded while he was a Cambridge undergraduate. The King's Sustainable Markets Initiative, launched in 2020, has supported the lab by fostering cross-sector collaboration and investment.
