British singer-songwriter Navin Kundra performs to Britain's Prince Charles and wife Camilla
At a special reception hosted at Britain's iconic St James' Palace in the heart of London, Britain's Prince Charles and wife Camilla enjoyed an afternoon with Bollywood classics. Prince Charles will visit south Asia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) summit in Sri Lanka and he's been getting some lessons in Hindi.
At a gala reception, the Prince was taught a new word. Singer Navin Kundra asked him from the stage, "She's your
Mehbooba (lover)...Could I just get you to say that word?"
And the Prince responded "
Mehbooba!"
In a departure from the usually very serious nature of these events, the singer then came down from the stage and asked the Price a question. "This is a great moment. This is your...?"
Prince Charles played along, saying "
Mehbooba" - on the microphone.
There were other light moments too. Among the who's who of the Asian community was actor Sanjeev Bhaskar who shared some tips with the royal couple.
"I gave them some travel tips, have some bottled water and take off roaming on your phone; the charges are terrible and also always haggle in the markets. I hope they take my advice," he said.
Other leading members of the Asian community were also present. Gurinder Chadha, film director was there too, who called the Prince a "good guy".
But there was no mention of the controversy around the visit and the fact that the prestigious summit is being hosted in Sri Lanka.
A vocal community of protestors, in the UK and overseas, has demanded the royals should stay away to make it a point to protest the country's human right's record.
But the high commissioner of Sri Lanka was at hand to defend his country. Dr. Chris Nonis, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK, said, "Actually after 28 years of bitter conflict of terrorists we've now achieved peace under leadership of His Excellency Rajyapaksa."
The Prince's travel itinerary is rather hectic - packing in a birthday too in India. But it shouldn't be too bad as he has his "
Mehbooba" by his side.