The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visit Chinatown to mark the Lunar New Year

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Chinatown today to mark the Lunar New Year and meet communities who are celebrating the Year of the Tiger.

Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed by crowds of people to this busy Central London location and on arrival were met by a traditional Lion Dance and music.

The Prince of Wales then joined a conversation about hate crime towards the Chinese and wider East and South-East Asian Communities, and heard about the impact of hate crime and what is being done to prevent it.

The Duchess meanwhile visited the Chinese Information and Advice Centre where she met with police officers, immigration case workers and clients. The Chinese Information and Advice Centre (CIAC) was established in 1982 and provides free legal advice, advocacy & support to the disadvantaged and marginalised in the UK Chinese Community.  

Lunar New Year, also called Spring Festival, is celebrated by Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Lao, Thai, Mongolian, Bruneian, Indonesian, Japanese, Cambodian, Filipino and East Timorese communities around the world.

The Prince of Wales sent a message to mark the Lunar New Year:

我和我的妻子祝愿所有在中国、以及全世界庆祝农历新年的人——新年快乐、身体健康、万事如意。

虎象征着勇敢、勇于挑战和冒险。在我们迎接虎年之际，我希望全世界都能行动起来，让我们一起调整我们的生活和工作方式，与自然和地球和谐相处，为我们的孩子们创造一个更美好的未来。

福虎祈福，阖家幸福

新年快乐 ­

My wife and I would like to wish a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all those in China – and everyone celebrating the new Lunar Year across the world.

As we enter the Year of The Tiger, known for courageous action and rising to challenge and adventure, I hope the whole world will make this a year of action.  Together let’s create a better future for all our children by shifting the way we live and work to be in harmony with Nature and the planet.

The blessing of the tiger brings happiness to all families in the year of the tiger.

Wishing you peace and happiness.