Lavish celebrations as Kings and friends meet up

By Sarah Tetteh
sarah@slpmedia.co.uk

It’s been hailed as the most jubilant celebration for the Royal Family this year, and indeed it’s the most jolly we have seen King Charles in ages when he reunited with Ghanaian royalty for a landmark occasion.

The Sovereign was said to be ‘glowing’ and ‘like a new man’ as he was reunited with his dear friend His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Asante, as the capital played host to his incredible Silver Jubilee.
As the two men stood side by side, they got straight to it with conversation that had king Charles belly laughing and His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II equally as enamored as they shared tales together in a long-overdue catch up.
It’s the first time the royal duo had come together since King Charles’ coronation, and his late mother Queen Elizabeth II had a very close relationship with Ghana over the years.

Insiders told South London Press: “It’s a side to King Charles we rarely get to see. He was so happy and jovial with his good friend, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. He seemed to put all his troubles behind him. You could see the two royals were totally relaxed in each other’s company and King Charles was hanging off the Asante King’s every word.
“It was truly lovely to see the old friends reconnect. King Charles was glowing and was like a new man. They got on like a house on fire.’”
London came to a standstill earlier to this month to celebrate Asantehene’s Silver Jubilee with a prestigious Royal Gala Dinner and the Akwasidae Festival.
The landmark festivities featured two significant events, a glittering Royal Gala dinner held at the Peninsula Hotel in Knightsbridge, and the centuries-old Akwasidae Festival.
Dignitaries and VIPs from across the political, cultural, and media spheres including June Sarpong, Kanya King and Paul Boateng, gathered to honour Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who ascended to the Golden Stool of the Ashanti Kingdom in 1999.
The celebrations will culminated at the Akwasidae Festival, a cultural event of immense historical, social, and religious significance.

A spokesman for Manhyia Palace said: “The UK is home to many Ghanaians in the diaspora, so it was only right that we come here to celebrate the Asantehene’s Silver Jubilee with them.”
During his visit Otumfuo Osei Tutu II spent time with King Charles III at Sandringham House, in Norfolk.
The Akwasidae Festival took place in the City of London. The name is derived from two Ashanti-Twi words – Akwasi or Kwasi (a name given to a male child born on a Sunday) and Adae (meaning a calendar or sleeping/resting place). Akwasidae therefore signifies a special Sunday set aside by the Asante people for special prayer or mass.
The dinner was organised by the Asante Investment Trust (AIT) through GUBA Enterprise and Africa Help UK.

The AIT is mandated by the Asantehene to strategically focus more on organising and marshalling the assets of the Kingdom
for the collective benefit of the Kingdom, its people, the people of Ghana through the creation of various business entities aimed at conducting diverse forms of business to create employment, opportunities and wealth.
GUBA Enterprise is a leading social enterprise dedicated to advancing the interests of Africans in the diaspora and on the continent through various socio-economic programmes and initiatives.

Lady Dentaa Amoateng, president and chief executive of GUBA Enterprise, said: “We are deeply honoured and proud to have organised the Royal Gala Dinner in celebration of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s Silver Jubilee.
“This event is a testament to the strong ties between the Ghanaian diaspora and our heritage. It is a privilege to celebrate such a monumental occasion and to honour a leader who has made significant contributions to our culture and community.”