The King opened the speech with the Arabic phrase ‘Ramadan Mubarak’

King Charles acknowledged a Muslim leader’s “sacrifice” during Ramadan in Wednesday’s State Banquet speech.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is currently in the United Kingdom for a high-profile two-day state visit, marking the first such visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

The visit is intended to transform a historic colonial relationship into a modern economic partnership, with a focus on strengthening business links and financial services.

On Wednesday evening, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the Nigerian President and First Lady at Windsor Castle for a State Banquet.

During his speech, King Charles said: “We are most grateful to you for travelling during this holy month which, I acknowledge, is no small sacrifice, and so it is my particular pleasure to wish you, Mr President, peace, blessings, and an abundance of joy. Ramadan Mubarak!”

Elsewhere in the speech, the King touched on the conflict between Muslim and Christian communities in Nigeria.

He said: “This afternoon, in another part of the Castle, Mr President, you and I witnessed one such example of how we are learning from one another when we met leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities.

“The gathering was a deeply meaningful symbol of what Nigeria has long shown: that people of different faiths can, do, and must live alongside one another, in peace, in harmony and in shared purpose.

King Charles acknowledges Muslim leader’s ‘sacrifice’ during Ramadan in State Banquet speech

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“It was also a timely reminder of the importance of standing with you – and in us strengthening your Quick Reaction Forces, or in providing food, nutrition and protection services in Northern Nigeria – when challenges disturb the age-old balance between these communities.”

Concluding the speech, the monarch stated: “As I close, Mr President, in anticipation of Eid El-Fitr in Nigeria and across the world, I can only wish you and the millions of Muslims in our countries, Eid Mubarak.

“And, in doing so, let me propose a toast, To the President and people of Nigeria – ‘Naija No Dey Carry Last!’ (Nigerians Never Come Last).”

Earlier today, the King adapted the traditional state visit programme to accommodate President Tinubu’s Ramadan fast, omitting the customary formal lunch.

The Nigerian president was seated between Catherine and King Charles

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The two-day visit coincides with the final days of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month when observant Muslims abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.

The last comparable occasion occurred in 1928, when King George V, Charles’s great-grandfather, received Afghanistan’s King Amanullah Khan during a state visit from March 13-15.

However, no records exist confirming whether the Afghan monarch observed the fast.

President Tinubu planned to break his fast privately at sunset on Wednesday evening before attending the State Banquet with the King and Queen.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at the State Banquet with the Nigerian president | GETTY

The First Lady, known as Remi, is a Christian and ordained Pentecostal pastor. The Nigerian president’s visit aims to bolster Britain’s standing as a leading destination for African commerce.

The Department for Business and Trade announced that hundreds of jobs will be created as multiple Nigerian firms expand their UK operations.

During their time at Windsor Castle, the King joined President Tinubu and the First Lady in Vicars’ Hall for meetings with organisations focused on interfaith dialogue.

The presidential couple are scheduled to depart Britain on Thursday evening, coinciding with the start of Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic festival marking Ramadan’s conclusion.