King Charles hails Europe’s first eco-mosque | Royal | News
King Charles today appointed Andy Burnham as new prime minister (Image: Getty)
The King praised Europe’s first ecological mosque as “magnificent” and “architecturally marvelous” as he toured the award-winning building in Cambridgeshire, which actively promotes interfaith dialogue. Eco-warrior Charles was in awe of the architectural excellence combined with the sustainability features integrated into the building, such as air-source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic arrays.
Inside, the airy structure is held aloft on graceful, tree-like columns that interlock to form an octagonal lattice vault, a nod to the Gothic fan vault of the nearby King’s College Chapel. The award-winning design by London-based firm Marks Barfield Architects ensured that air conditioning was not needed for the building, which was cool despite the 25-degree temperature in the city on Monday.
Charles was taken to a side room to remove his shoes before entering the main prayer room, where he met with groups from the local community and school children who had been attending religious classes during the week.
King Charles visits a mosque in Cambridge (Image: Getty)
The mosque sees itself as an example of the vital role that religious communities can play in the common human struggle against global warming, and aspects of Muslim teaching on caring for the planet were discussed during the visit.
Speaking to the trustees, King described the building as “magnificent” and “architecturally wonderful”.
The mosque, which opened in 2019, has gained a reputation for actively promoting interfaith dialogue across Cambridgeshire, and during the visit Charles met members of various communities, including the mosque’s imams and trustees, and other faith leaders from across the city who joined forces to support the place of worship.
After unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit, the 77-year-old King said: “I am sure that the care and attention you have shown and the presence of a purpose-built mosque here with a community center will make a huge contribution not only to the Muslim community but to Cambridge itself.”
“Therefore, I congratulate you and pray with all my heart that you continue to achieve every possible success, continue your work with other faiths in this field, and set a remarkable example of integrated faith activity. Thank you for having me here today.”
King spoke to faith leaders at mosque (Image: Getty)
After the visit, he headed a few miles down the road to officially open the new Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. The King visited the site of the £58 million laboratory on his first official mission after his coronation in May 2023.
Charles unveiled a plaque to celebrate his visit to the laboratory, which aims to halve the time needed to develop technologies aimed at achieving net-zero aviation.
Charles’ long-planned trip to Cambridge came after he spent the morning in London to appoint the new prime minister.
It is one of the monarch’s few remaining personal prerogatives and meant Sir Keir Starmer had to be at Buckingham Palace on Monday to tender his resignation after more than two years in office.
As the departing prime minister left his London residence, Andy Burnham was ushered through ornate gates to the Palace, where the King instructed him to form a government.
The formal process is known as ‘kissing hands’ and will be recorded as such on the court circular, but in practice this is marked by a slight bow of the head and a handshake rather than a kiss.
The 77-year-old monarch, who had driven more than 100 miles from his private home Highgrove House in Gloucestershire to the Palace this morning, then set off 60 miles north to Cambridge for two community meetings.
