The Prince and Princess of Wales undertook their first joint engagement of the week and visited Hayes Muslim Center to meet those who were involved in the aid effort and fundraising campaign to help the victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquakes. Both countries went through a devastating earthquake of 7.8 magnitudes in February that killed more than 50000 people and caused huge infrastructural damage to houses, hospitals, and schools and left thousands of people homeless.
The Disaster Emergency Committee launched Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeal to raise funds to provide life-saving aid to people affected in the hardest hit areas. Thanks to the generosity of the UK public, the appeal raised £100 Million which is being used to provide medical treatment, shelter, food and clean water. The Royal family members made their private donations to the appeal.
“The UK public have once again excelled and supported people when they need it most. All of us at the DEC are incredibly grateful. Your donations are already helping and will continue to provide emergency shelter, warm blankets and food for the families who have lost their homes, urgent medical support for the injured and psychosocial support to children to help them start to cope with their experiences” – Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive of the DEC.
The generosity of the human spirit is at the heart of the Hayes Muslim Centre.
Since the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria last month, volunteers and charities – including those brought together by @decappeal – have raised millions to help. pic.twitter.com/jIRk8QAg6S
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 9, 2023
At the centre, The Prince and Princess of Wales met with the Hayes Mulsim Center members who through bucket collections and other donations raised £25000 for the DEC Appeal. Also present were the representatives of DEC member charities, aid workers who recently returned from the earthquake-affected areas, and representatives from other charities such as Save The Children, Islamic Relief, Action Against Hunger, Age International and British Red cross.
The Royal couple also met with the representatives of the Turkey Women’s association that along with many schools in Richmond raised more than £10000 for the appeal via an event hosted at the St Stephen’s Church Primary School. If you would like to make a donation via the appeal you can do so by visiting the DEC portal here.
Heading towards The Princess of Wales style – Catherine chose a simple black look for the day. The Princess of Wales wore the black Catherine Walker coat that she first wore in September 2022 to visit Sandringham ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
She repeated the Alexander McQueen Ribbed bodice dress also debuted on the same day in September 2022.
The Princess of Wales topped the outfit with a white Élan Royal Garden Dupatta.
Catherine wore her Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Gianvito 105’ Black pumps.
She was carrying Grace Han Love Letter Small Top Handle Bag
The Princess borught her Shyla London Chunky Knot Baroque Pearl Earrings back for the day.
