King Charles expressed his admiration for the design of Cambridge Central Mosque, hailing it as Europe's first eco-friendly mosque. During his visit on Monday, the monarch commended the significant 'care and attention' that has been invested in the building's construction and its environmental credentials.
The King was given a tour of the mosque, situated on Mill Road, where he was greeted by crowds and engaged with dignitaries and worshippers. The mosque incorporates several sustainable features, including efficient heat pumps, an array of solar panels, and a system for collecting both rainwater and excess water from bathroom sinks. Its interior is also illuminated throughout the year by large skylights, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
During his tour, the King removed his shoes before entering a prayer hall and was presented with a book detailing the 1,000-capacity mosque. He also light-heartedly interacted with schoolchildren, quipping that he hoped he hadn't 'ruined the holidays too much by dragging you in here'.
Addressing those present, King Charles stated, "I'm so impressed by the quality of the design, of all the care and attention which has been lavished on it. It makes a huge contribution I'm sure not only to the Muslim community, but to Cambridge itself." He extended his congratulations and prayers for the mosque's continued success and its ongoing interfaith work, describing it as a "remarkable example of integrated faith activity."
In addition to his visit to the mosque, the King also unveiled a plaque commemorating the 75th anniversary of Cambridge being granted city status by his grandfather, King George VI. Later the same day, he officially opened the University of Cambridge's new £58 million Whittle Laboratory, a dedicated centre focused on disruptive innovation in net-zero aviation and energy. The King had previously broken ground on this project in 2023 and had visited the site in 2020 and 2022.