Buckingham Palace
The King and Queen this morning visited BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple), Pramukh Swami Road, Neasden, London NW10, to celebrate the Temple's Thirtieth Anniversary and were received by Miss Mei Sim Lai (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London), the Chairman of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha United Kingdom (Mr. Jitu Patel) and Councillor Ryan Hack (Mayor of the London Borough of Brent).
Their Majesties, escorted by the Chairman and Ms. Rena Amin (Head of External Relations for BAPS)), viewed flower petals being offered to the sacred image of Bhagwan Swaminarayan before observing the ceremonial pouring of water over a deity's image by the Head Priest (Pujya Yogvivekdas Swami).
The King and Queen subsequently viewed a model of the BAPS Mandir under construction in Paris, accompanied by Mr. Sanjay Kara (Chief Executive Officer, BAPS Paris Mandir Project), before meeting representatives from community and social impact initiatives supported by the Temple.
Their Majesties afterwards viewed schoolchildren performing a Vedic prayer for world peace before meeting members of the local community.
The King and Queen this evening gave a Reception at Windsor Castle in honour of The Duke of Kent's Ninetieth Birthday.
The Duke of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy were present.
The Queen, Commodore-in-Chief, Naval Chaplaincy Service, this afternoon received the Venerable Andrew Hillier upon relinquishing his appointment as Chaplain of the Fleet and the Reverend Dr. Mark Davidson upon assuming the appointment.
