England: Windsor castle, royal residence, opens its doors for a historic Iftar during Ramadan

The Royal Collection Trust (RCT), responsible for preserving and sharing the treasures of the British royal family, and Ramadan Tent Project (RTP), a charitable initiative aimed at promoting interreligious dialogue during Ramadan, united their forces to organize an unprecedented event. The castle of Windsor, an emblematic royal residence more than a thousand years old and symbol of British history, welcomed its first iftar on Sunday March 3, 2025 in the prestigious St George’s Hall. More than 360 guests from all backgrounds met for this event.

King Charles III, known for his commitment to interreligious dialogue and cultural diversity, supported this initiative. Simon Maples, director of the castle visitors, stressed that this event is part of the RCT’s desire to make the royal palaces accessible to all. Omar Salha, founder of RTP, described this moment as‘”Historical and poignant”, recalling the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusion. This Iftar is part of a series of similar events organized through the United Kingdom, notably at Shakespeare’s Globe and Victoria & Albert Museum.

The guests were able to visit the state apartments before sharing a meal in the famous St George’s Hall, a space usually reserved for official banquets. A participant told the BBC: “It is an incredible experience to live this here, in an Islamic way, in such a historical place.” A symbolic initiative that brings communities together and celebrates British cultural wealth.