Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his first lady Entissar El Sisi played host to the British Royal Prince Charles and his wife Camilla on Thursday
The royal couple was received by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, H.E. Dr. Khaled Anany, followed by a formal reception at the Presidential Palace (Al-Ittihadiyah Palace) to meet President al-Sisi and his wife Entissar Amer.
At the Presidential Palace, Prince Charles and President al-Sisi met and spoke for around 40 minutes and are expected to have spoken about matters concerning the UN climate summit, COP which the UK have just handed the leadership to Egypt.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s visit is part of their four-day tour in the Middle East that would see them visit Cairo’s old quarter and the Giza Pyramids before making the two-hour journey to Alexandria, where they would visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina along with some of the coastal city’s most prominent landmarks.
The first day’s highlights include a visit to the pyramids to celebrate the bond between the two countries, as well as a visit to Al-Azhar Mosque to meet Cairo’s Grand Imam of al-Azhar and discuss with the religious leader on interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance.
The British Royals who had seen the Great Sphinx while on a visit to Egypt which according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, was built around 4,500 years ago – from around the time of King Khafre.
Prince Charles also visited Al-Azhar, Al-Azhar Park, Siwa Oasis, and inaugurated the British University in Cairo during that trip.
During his visit, Prince Charles told the students he believes with his heart that responsible men and women should work to restore mutual respect between religions, and do everything in their power to overcome the mistrust that poisons the lives of many people.
He also told them that “The most important thing is to emphasize what we have in common not what divides us,” the prince told one group of women and added that “Do remember that we share so much.”
Prince Charles also attended a multi-faith reception with Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb and Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Alexandria Dr. Samy Fawzy.
The British embassy in Cairo said the visitation program would give the royal couple an opportunity to celebrate the culture of ancient Egypt and its spiritual importance, while also looking at modern Egypt, which embraces a more environmentally friendly future.
The British Royals had last visited Egypt in 2006 as part of a tour that included Saudi Arabia and India, with the aim of promoting better understanding and tolerance between religions, supporting environmental initiatives, and encouraging sustainable job opportunities and training for young people.
HISTORY
The Al Azhar mosque in Cairo’s old quarter was built more than 1,000 years ago and has become one of the foremost seats of Sunni Islamic learning.
The old quarter is also home to the Khan El Khalili bazaar, sites dating back to the Mamluk and Ottoman eras, and the city’s historic gold market and tea houses.
