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TRH celebrate the work of Black Majority churches on His Royal Highness's 59th birthday

14th November 2007

The Prince of Wales celebrated his 59th birthday today by meeting black Christian leaders at a special thanksgiving service held in his honour.

Accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall, His Royal Highness was visiting Jesus House in Brent Cross, London to recognise the contribution of Black Majority Churches.

Their Royal Highnesses are practising Anglicans and attend church regularly.  In addition to having a strong personal faith, The Prince is also well known for his work to encourage inter-faith dialogue and support ethnic communities in the United Kingdom.

After being welcomed by Senior Pastor of Jesus House, Agu Irukwu and Dr Richard Chartres, The Bishop of London, Their Royal Highnesses toured the church and met volunteers, church staff and other members of the congregation.

During the visit The Prince of Wales met privately with The Bishop of London and 20 Pastors of Black Majority Churches.

Meanwhile Her Royal Highness met leaders of the various church departments in Jesus House and met children in the church nursery.

Their Royal Highnesses then joined the 850-strong congregation for a lively and uplifting thanksgiving service, held in honour of The Prince’s 59th birthday.

Afterwards, in a speech, His Royal Highness thanked the church community for their contribution to the nation.

He said: “You are all a marvellous example of how so many people whose families originate from the Commonwealth, have yourselves brought new life into the Christian church in the United Kingdom thereby completing the cycle started by missionaries from Britain so many years ago. So we have that to thank you for.”

The Prince praised the church for its community projects such as the Spreading Christmas Cheer campaign, which distributes hot drinks and mince pies for free on the underground.

His Royal Highness said, to great applause: “In your church you are doing the things that Jesus would do if he walked the streets of London today.”

The Prince also mentioned that during his private meeting with senior pastors and bishops, the possibility of greater collaboration with The Prince’s Trust to help young people gain self-confidence and self-esteem had been discussed.

His Royal Highness said that he had asked Diane-Louise Jordan, Songs of Praise television presenter and member of The Prince’s Trust Council, to take some of these ideas forward.

Click here to read The Prince's speech.
Click here to read more about The Prince's personal faith.