Prince Edward has shared a meaningful gesture at The Baitul Futuh Mosque in London, one of Europe’s largest places of worship for Muslims.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit was part of a tour of public gardens, which took him to the mosque and the YourSpace Sutton Community Garden.
To celebrate the mosque’s environmental achievements, Edward led a ceremonial planting of an English Rose Bush in its gardens.
He also presented the Morden religious site with an award for the “Best Display of Annual Plants and Flowers”.
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Prince Edward has taken part in a meaningful gesture to celebrate The Baitul Futuh Mosque’s environmental achievements
Buckingham Palace documented the visit through social media, with their Instagram post stating: “Visiting wonderful gardens of The London Gardens Society!”
“At the mosque, The Duke planted an English Rose Bush to honour the mosque’s green legacy, before presenting them an award for the ‘Best Display of Annual Plants and Flowers,” they wrote.
Accompanying the caption was footage of Edward undertaking his engagement on social media, showing him greeting and chatting with members of public among the beautiful gardens of the mosque.
The clip, set to Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations, showed the Duke receiving gifts of flowers from local children.
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The Duke of Edinburgh took part in the ceremonial planting of an English Rose Bush in the garden’s of the mosque
He could also be seen tipping the last shovelful of soil over the newly planted rose bush, which was marked with a plaque.
Prince Edward has served as patron of The London Gardens Society since September 2022, championing urban gardening initiatives throughout the capital.
His tour of shared green spaces also took him to Sutton, where he visited the YourSpace Community Garden.
While there, he encountered volunteers alongside participants from his own Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
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Edward also awarded the mosque with a ‘Best Display of Annual Plants and Flowers’ award
The royal also met representatives from an Alzheimer’s support organisation and elderly residents from Tennyson Care Home, all regular users of the therapeutic garden environment.
“His Royal Highness met volunteers as well as representatives from Alzheimer’s Support Group, Tennyson Care Home residents and @dofeuk participants, all of whom utilise the community garden,” Buckingham Palace wrote.
Edward has been keeping busy around the capital as his recent tour comes just days after visiting the 107-year-old ship Oosterschelde on the Thames.
The historic vessel recently concluded a two-year expedition following Charles Darwin’s original HMS Beagle route.
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The Duke has served as patron of The London Gardens Society since September 2022
During the Darwin200 project visit, Prince Edward met crew members and young environmental advocates who participated in the voyage.
The initiative selected 105 emerging conservationists from 45 nations globally, chosen for their demonstrated commitment to ecological preservation and planetary restoration.
According to the royal family’s Instagram: “They were selected due to their lifetime passion for nature conservation and their efforts to protect and restore the planet.”
The programme aims to develop 200 conservation leaders representing every country and territory worldwide.