Ahead of Ramadan, King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited Darjeeling Express, an iconic Indian restaurant in London owned by chef Asma Khan. In an Instagram video, they were seen packing dates and biryani for local hospitals. The King enjoyed the aroma of the biryani and jokingly expressed a desire to help annually. Khan, a renowned chef and advocate for social change, is known for her all-female kitchen that empowers South Asian immigrants. She has received global recognition for her culinary contributions, including features in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and Vogue’s 25 Most Influential Women lists.
In anticipation of Ramadan, King Charles III and Queen Camilla paid a visit to the iconic Indian restaurant, Darjeeling Express, located in London and owned by British-Indian chef Asma Khan. On February 26, Khan posted a video on Instagram that captured the royal couple in the restaurant’s kitchen, where they were seen packing dates and biryani for donation to nearby hospitals. The footage begins with King Charles and Queen Camilla positioned in front of a large pot of biryani, with the King being shown savoring the aroma of the freshly cooked dish.
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As the restaurant staff help the royal couple with packing the biryani and dates, King Charles is heard asking, “Can we take some?” Both the King and Queen seem to take delight in the food and the culinary traditions displayed. In the caption of the video, Khan noted that due to the King’s quick and efficient packing of dates, he jokingly suggested he could have a job there annually, to which he replied, “I may be past my sell-by date.”
Watch the full video below:
Who Is Asma Khan?
Asma Khan was born in July 1969 in Kolkata and is a British-Indian chef, restaurateur, and author, widely recognized as the founder of the award-winning London restaurant Darjeeling Express. According to the official King’s College London website, Khan moved to the UK in 1991 after marrying. She studied law at King’s College London and completed a PhD in British Constitutional Law, but her true passion has always revolved around food.
Khan’s restaurant is famed for its all-female kitchen, largely composed of South Asian immigrants. This innovative approach not only provides authentic Indian cuisine but also empowers women who lack formal culinary training. Her impact on the culinary scene has garnered significant recognition. In 2024, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.
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In addition to managing her restaurant, Khan actively advocates for social change. She became the first British chef to be featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table and has made appearances on BBC Saturday Kitchen and Celebrity MasterChef. Furthermore, she has received global recognition, being included in both TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and Vogue’s 25 Most Influential Women lists.