King Charles III marked the day before his 78th birthday with a visit to London's BRIT School and a reception attended by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The King visited the BRIT School on Friday. The institution is one of Britain's best-known training institutes for the performing arts and creative subjects.
Sharif adjusted his travel plans to attend the evening reception. "I adjusted my travel plans to join our British friends this evening to celebrate the 78th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III," he said. "His Majesty's life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to public service."
The Pakistani prime minister recalled past royal visits to his country. "The people of Pakistan have deep affection for the British royal family," Sharif said. He noted that Queen Elizabeth II visited Pakistan in 1961 and returned in 1997 for the 50th anniversary of independence. "His Majesty's own visit to Pakistan in 2006 with Her Majesty Queen Camilla remains a cherished memory," he added.
Sharif also spoke about the British-Pakistani community. "The 1.7 million British citizens of Pakistani heritage are not simply a bridge between our countries," he said. "They are the living embodiment of its greatest strength." He added: "Last year, I expressed the hope that direct flights to London would resume. I am delighted that this has now become a reality."
