EARL OF WESSEX VISITS SHREE SANATAN MANDIR

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, is visiting Shree Sanatan Mandir today. He's on a flying visit to a number of venues in the city and county (literally, as he arrived at Beaumont Leys School by helicopter). He's come here this morning to help celebrate the temple's 40th anniversary. The photo above (from the Leicester Mercury) shows HRH the Earl of Wessex with Vibhooti Acharya, Secretary of Shree Sanatan Mandir. Invitations requested us to arrive at the temple by 1030. After a cup of tea we're led into Mahatma Gandhi Hall and we're in our seats about half an hour later. His Royal Highness isn't due there till 1215, so there's plenty of time to chat. When His Royal Highness arrives at the temple he first meets with a children's group, then some of the elder members before having a short reception with representatives of some of the faith and community groups. When he arrives in Mahatma Gandhi Hall and takes his place on stage, His Royal Highness is welcomed with a devotional dance, performed by Nayana Whitaker and Hema R. Acharya (shown in photo below).

There's a brief speech by Ramanbhai Barber, President of Shree Sanatan Mandir, which ends with him garlanding His Royal Highness in the colours of the Indian flag. The climax of the occasion comes when His Royal Highness unveils a plaque marking the temple's 40th anniversary.

When His Royal Highness speaks, he's warm, witty, self-effacing, inclusive and funny. He tells us that in his experience the only thing duller than unveiling a plaque is watching someone unveil a plaque. So he says he's going to liven up proceedings by dividing us into sections and getting us to do some whooping, cheering and clapping to order. We practise a few times before he unveils the plaque on stage to suitably unrestrained audience participation. I'm told later that HRH was a big wow with the children and older people he met here today (and on his other engagements in Leicestershire today). I can certainly see why! What a charmer.