News

News

HRH reopens Pera House in Istanbul

24th October 2004

The Prince of Wales has reopened the British Consulate General in Istanbul, almost a year after it was devastated by a terrorist attack.

His Royal Highness joined consulate staff in a reopening ceremony to celebrate the restoration of Pera House in the Turkish capital.

Just prior to the bomb attack on November 10th 2003, the grand pale stone Anglo-Italian dwelling, with its numerous arched windows, was just nine weeks away from being fully refurbished following a fire in 2000.

Consul General Roger Short, the UK‘s top envoy in the Turkish city, was one of 10 staff who died in the blast at Pera House.

In his speech The Prince described the event on 20th November last year, in which 16 people died, as “horrific”.

The Prince said: “Far from sowing division between us, those who planned these murderous attacks simply brought us together - Briton and Turk, Muslim, Jew and Christian.”

He added: “Today we are looking forward once more, as I suspect those who lost their lives almost a year ago would have wished.”

The Prince planted a 12 foot tall magnolia tree in the consulate's garden to mark the occasion.

It was 150 years ago that the 19th century Pera House, designed by William James Smith, was finished as the then embassy to the Ottoman Empire.

The glass roof of the Palm Court atrium, where The Prince gave his speech, has been reinforced with “plastic pillows”, while other parts of the building have been strengthened to withstand earthquakes.

Ornate 19th century chandeliers said to have belonged to The Prince's great-great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria are soon to be put back in place.

Staff, many of whom The Prince met at a private event yesterday, will move back into Pera House in phases as restoration work continues.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw described the reopening as a “symbolic moment” for both Britain and Turkey.

Barbara Hay, the new Consul General, described the reopening as a huge “turning point” for the staff in Turkey.

The Prince also met religious leaders at the reception including the Grand Mufti of Istanbul and representatives of the Syrian Orthodox Church. He was also due to meet President Sezer and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey.