King Charles tells refugee he hopes to return to Afghanistan in ‘joyful moment’ during Scotland trip
The King has told a refugee from Afghanistan that he hopes to one day visit the country in a “joyful moment” during a visit to Scotland.
The King has spent the day meeting refugees from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine who have recently settled in Aberdeen.
The city’s council has worked with the UK and Scottish governments to provide accommodation and critical services such as health and education for more than 1,000 people who fled their home countries due to conflict.
During a reception at the Aberdeen Town House, the King spoke to families about their experiences and the challenges they’ve faced.
Some of those families fled Afghanistan last summer, evacuated by the British Armed Forces.
The King met Burhan Vesal, who arrived last August with his wife and six-year-old son.
He told Mr Vesal, a former army translator, “I’m hoping one day I can go to Afghanistan. I’ve only been once.”
Mr Vesal said meeting the King was “an unexpected, wonderful day” for his whole family.
“That kind King, who was willing to see the immigrants. It’s such a joyful moment, I cannot describe it in words,” he said.
The King also said he was “happy” to hear another man, Abdul Mateen Hejran, had secured a job in cybersecurity, telling him: “You never know what these people are going to do next.”
‘You’re going to have a safe life here’
In another touching moment, the King shared advice on being a good grandparent as an Afghan man, who asked to be known only as Yar to protect his identity, explained how his family has just expanded to 12 with a recent new addition.
He said: “This was my first time to meet the King and this is my whole life. He is a very kind person.”
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Yar continued: “I had a good chat with him telling my family story to him, and he was really, really good and said that ‘now you’re going to have a safe life here’.”
He said the King was “excited” to hear that he had become a grandfather for the first time and wished him luck in dealing with a growing his growing family.
‘Historical, important and valuable’
A Ukrainian woman named Inna Skvortsova fled Kyiv in March and travelled through Poland before arriving in Aberdeen.
The tour operator, 34, has been working with Aberdeen City Council to support other Ukrainian families who have also been housed in the city.
She said the King’s visit “meant a lot” to her.
“I’m from a country where there is no monarchy, so for me it’s kind of historical, important and valuable. So for me, it’s something incredible,” Ms Skvortsova said.
If the King is setting the tone for his reign, this engagement speaks volumes.
He cannot interfere with party politics, but it is well known that he has strong views on many issues.
By meeting refugees, he sends a very clear message of support and solidarity for a cause he clearly cares about.