The King and Queen went to Walthamstow, a place in east London, on a Friday. They were there to celebrate how the community comes together and supports each other.
While they were there, the King made a light-hearted joke. When someone asked him, “How are you?” he smiled and said, “I’m still alive.” It was a funny moment that made people laugh.
During their visit, the Queen gave 25 toys to an organization called Citizens UK. These toys will be given to children who are living in hotels because their families are seeking asylum in the UK.
The King also made a donation to a food bank, which helps people who don’t have enough food. The donation included things like long-life milk, Christmas puddings, custard, and mince pies—items that can be stored for a while and used during the holiday season.
The King and Queen also listened to a children’s choir called A Little Choir of Joy. The kids, who were between 8 and 12 years old, sang beautifully. After their performance, the King told the children he hoped they would have a very happy Christmas. He also joked that the kids should enjoy the moment because their teachers probably had a tough job keeping everything organized.
The food and drinks for the event were provided by a café called Haven Cafe. The owner of the café, Usman Khalid, used to be an asylum seeker himself. Now, he helps train refugees to become baristas, which is a great way to give people new skills and opportunities.
Earlier in the year, in August, there had been some worries about protests in Walthamstow. Some people had planned to protest outside an immigration center, but they didn’t show up. Instead, around 5,000 people came together for a peaceful counter-protest. They wanted to stand against racism and violence. This showed how strong the community is and how much people care about supporting each other.
When the King and Queen visited, they met with local leaders, including Stella Creasy, who is a Member of Parliament for Walthamstow.
She said the visit was really important to the community. She explained that far-right groups have been trying to cause trouble in the area, so it means a lot that the King and Queen came to show their support. She also said that the community needs to stay strong and united to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome.
Buckingham Palace, where the King and Queen live, said the peaceful protest in August showed the true spirit of the community.
It proved that people in Walthamstow care about each other and want to keep their neighborhoods safe. Because of this, in December 2023, Waltham Forest (the area that includes Walthamstow) was officially named a “Borough of Sanctuary” by a charity called City of Sanctuary.
This means the area is recognized for being a welcoming and supportive place for refugees and asylum seekers. It’s a big honor and shows how much the community values kindness and inclusion.
