PAU’s former Estate officer Sandhu recalls King Charles’s ‘78 visit to Ludhiana as Prince of Wales

Ludhiana, May 7, 2023: The hype and hoopla may all be about Prince Charel's being crowned as the King of England, but for a Ludhiana based couple Trilochan Singh Sandhu and Maninder Sandhu who had the rare opportunity to share certain moments with Prince Charles during his first ever visit to Ludhiana, Punjab in year 1978, it is still Prince Charles’ the youthful face that comes to their mind. The 86-year-old former Estate Officer of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) has met the Prince of Wales and had the privilege of interacting with Charles at PAU, then escorting him to Rural Cultural Museum College of Agriculture and Water Resources Museum and accompanied him for lunch at PAU’s prominent ‘Sutton House’.

Recalling details of the royal visit as if it had happened just a couple of days ago, Sandhu said, “Prince Charles already knew about the history and background of Sikh culture and had great appreciation for it because of which he spent a lot of time in PAU’s cultural museum.”

Sandhu’s first glimpse of the Prince Charle’s cheerful smile, dashing looks and gentle personality. “His attire He was wearing a pastel brown-coloured coat truly depicted a refined royal taste just as his mannerisms did. Prince Charles was particularly courteous towards women. Not losing poise for even a moment, he, however, did not hesitate to inquire about things he did not under-stand,” Sandhu said. 

The former Estate Officer of PAU even remembers the menu of the lunch that was served to Prince Charles. “We had served Indian. Chinese and Continental delicacies but the Prince most appreciated the traditional Indian food”. 

Maninder Kaur Sandhu who herself is a UK citizen recalls her memories of the meeting and interaction with Prince Charles in PAU Campus, Ludhiana as at that period, it was like a dream come true for her to meet Prince Charles in India as despite living in London for 30 years she never had any chance to meet him. “Then to meet and talk to Prince Charles in India was amazing and a memory that can be cherished forever” portraying the natural photographs taken with the then Prince Charles and today’s King Charles crowned as King of England. Trilochan Singh Sandhu is father of Punjab's eminent Author, Nature Artist and Former Additional Advocate General Punjab Harpreet Sandhu.