Hashemite Custodianship ‘a vital element in search for peace in region’ — Prince Charles

AMMAN — Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, praised Jordanian-British friendship during his speech at the Jordan Museum as part of his visit to Jordan on Wednesday.

Prince Charles expressed his happiness being in Jordan as a start to his first overseas tour in two years with his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

“To be here with you this year is especially significant.  After the sorrow, separation and grief, which COVID has brought us all, it is with that special joy of being once again among friends that we have begun our first overseas tour in nearly two years.  That we should do so here in Jordan, to join you in celebrating the centenary year of Jordan’s founding, means a lot to us,” the prince said.

The Prince of Wales noted that the two countries’ early cooperation evolved over the years into a friendship “in the truest sense”, embodied by the close cooperation of governments, institutions and armed forces, as well as warm ties between the people, politicians, scientists and students.

“Over the last 22 years, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, we have continued to look to Jordan not only as a friend but, as in the time of his father, as a constant voice of moderation, understanding and tolerance,” the prince said.

Prince Charles emphasised King Abdullah’s role as Custodian of the Christian and Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem as “a vital element in the search for peace in the region”.

Praising “Jordan’s unflinching and generous hospitality”, Prince Charles said that Jordan does not only offer a safe haven for refugees but also hope and opportunities for the future through education.

“My wife and I have seen again how much Jordan is doing to help those who have been forced to seek refuge here from conflict in neighbouring countries with the help of the international community, it is truly humbling,” the prince added.

Prince Charles noted that the UK has also supported Jordan to protect the most vulnerable during the pandemic.

“I have been greatly heartened to meet those who are contributing to the work of rebuilding after the pandemic, especially the entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, female role models inspiring young women to follow in their footsteps; and organisations like the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, of which I am the proud Founding Patron, working to provide jobs and training while sustaining Jordan’s remarkable heritage,” he said.

The prince expressed his pride to meet some of beneficiaries from programmes run by the Prince’s Trust International charity, which helps young people into work placements and enabling the development of Jordan’s culture of entrepreneurship.

The prince emphasised that both the UK and Jordan “must place a priority as never before on protecting our environment”, noting that Jordan, is one of the countries hardest hit by water scarcity, and is suffering the consequences of climate change.

“Success will require the sustained commitment of the global community to ensure that countries like Jordan have the support they need to find ways of adapting somehow to a changing climate” he continued.

“I trust that the enduring friendship between our two countries will continue to play its part in the story. For I have no doubt that the United Kingdom and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will continue to work together, not only through our governments, but also through the countless individual human contributions and contacts between our peoples which make up this special partnership,” the prince said.