Britain’s King Charles III has been greeted by exuberant crowds in Dunfermline, Scotland, for his first official engagement since the ceremonies surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
He offered his “warmest congratulations” to Scotland’s newest city and said conferring the honour on Dunfermline in Fife would “gladden my dear mother’s heart”.
He said he had been “delighted” when the announcement of city status was made in May and spoke of his mother’s “deep love for Scotland”, describing it as “one of the foundations of her life”.
The monarch, 73, was on Monday accompanied by his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, 75, on a trip to confer city status on the former town in Fife as part of the late queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
The royal couple were welcomed by cheering fans. Community groups, including a local pipe band, and schoolchildren packed the streets surrounding the City Chambers to catch a glimpse of the king.
He waved at the crowds before heading into the building to attend an official council meeting where he made a speech.
The king, wearing a kilt, formally declared Dunfermline a city, saying he was “delighted” to do so.
He said he hoped people living in the area would feel a “real sense of pride in this new chapter”.
The queen died at Balmoral Castle, her retreat in the Scottish Highlands, on September 8.
The king highlighted the city’s “immense significance” in Scottish history as the birthplace of entrepreneur and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Dunfermline is also the “burial place of kings and queens”, he noted, with Robert the Bruce, who led Scotland in a war against England in the 1300s, buried in the abbey there.
But the new king also spoke of the community, adding: “It is my hope that all those who live in, or who hail from, this very special place will feel a real sense of pride at this latest chapter in our rich history, and that this new distinction will not merely burnish the legacy of the past but will also brighten the prospect of our future.
“That would, I know, gladden my dear mother’s heart, as it certainly gladdens mine.”
Hundreds of locals turned out to greet the royal couple, with the sovereign telling them: “As you celebrate your well-deserved status as Scotland’s new city, I can only offer my warmest congratulations, and my heartfelt wishes for the years to come.”
After the ceremony, the king and queen consort were due to visit Dunfermline Abbey to mark its 950th anniversary, and meet representatives from Historic Scotland to learn about the history of the local area and conservation of the site.
Eight places have attained city status as part of the late queen’s 70th anniversary of ascending the throne.
Dunfermline’s bid was based on its heritage and historic status as an ancient seat of royal power, but also as one of the fastest-growing towns in Europe.
Bill Henderson, 71, was one of the many locals who had waited patiently for the royals’ arrival.
“It’s a historic event,” he said. “I was born just before the queen came to the throne, so she’s been my monarch my whole life. It’s just exciting.”
Mr Henderson said the occasion was made even more special because King Charles I was born in Dunfermline.
Teacher Carol Williams, 52, said it was “such an honour” for her community to host the new king’s first official engagement after taking over from his mother at the helm of the monarchy.
The king and his wife were due to host a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh later on Monday to celebrate British South Asian communities.
They were to meet between 200 and 300 guests of British Indian, Pakistani, Bangladesh, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Maldivian heritage from across the UK. The gathering will recognise the contribution many from these communities have made to the National Health Service, arts, media, education, business and the Armed Forces.
Throughout his years as heir to the throne, the then-prince was known for reaching out to people from various faiths and backgrounds in Britain.
The king will also hold an investiture ceremony for a small group of local people, his first as head of the UK’s royal family.
King Charles III through the years - in pictures
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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Winner: Recordman, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
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6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
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6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000, 1,400m
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7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000, 1,600m
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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
The specs
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
