Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad hosted the first ‘King’s Birthday Party’ since 1951.
The British High Commission in Islamabad hosted the grand celebration, marking the 75th birthday of His Majesty, King Charles III. This event, celebrated as a ‘National Day’ by the UK, attracted an audience of over 700 high-profile attendees in Islamabad on November 14, 2023.
This celebration, the first since 1951 and following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, extends beyond Islamabad. The UK’s Pakistan Network will continue the environment and climate theme in events in Lahore on November 16 and Karachi on November 17.
Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton, posted a sweet message that showed a throwback photo of William and Charles on a ski trip and also a recent images of the family together. “Wishing His Majesty The King a very happy 75th birthday!” William and Kate’s team wrote on X.
Wishing His Majesty The King a very happy 75th birthday!🎂 pic.twitter.com/emO3gzXiRf
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 14, 2023
King Charles III was crowned alongside The Queen Consort on May 6, 2023, in a grand Coronation Ceremony held at Westminster Abbey, London, and was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Climate-themed celebration
The Islamabad event had an environment and climate change theme. British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, emphasized the depth of UK-Pakistani cooperation on environmental matters. She highlighted the UK’s commitment, doubling its investment in climate finance, and climate resilience and adaptation in Pakistan since the 2022 floods.
“We are utilizing our King’s Birthday Party – the UK’s National Day – events to do just this, with conversations ranging from how to build on Pakistan’s negotiating success on a Loss and Damage Fund at COP27, to how Pakistan can safeguard its marine economy via the Commonwealth’s Blue Charter” Marriott said.
“With terrible conflicts occurring around the world, international focus on climate change is being tested. However, with COP28 just round the corner, and with time not on our side, it is essential that conversations and actions on climate change continue,” she added.
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, the chief guest at the event, also underlined the crucial role of international focus on climate change, especially with COP28 approaching.
During the event, Jane Marriott announced the commencement of two new climate-related initiatives. The first involves the launch of phase two of the UK’s Climate Finance Accelerator Programme, supporting eight innovative Pakistani projects to attract private investment in tackling climate-related challenges. The second initiative introduces a pioneering AI-based ‘Early Warning Forest Fire Detection System’ expansion covering more forested areas in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Federal Capital Territory, aiming to safeguard lives, jobs, livelihoods, and Pakistan’s biodiversity.
- In September, UK pledged $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund, benefiting Pakistan as a recipient – the biggest single funding commitment the UK has made to help the world tackle climate change.
- The UK’s extensive climate aid spending since 2011 has aided over 95 million people and reduced or avoided over 68 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
- The UK, a leader in emissions reduction among G7 countries, is dedicated to a domestic transition to clean energy.