Five years ago, I became Honorary Colonel of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and I was immensely proud to wear my regimental tie with my morning suit. Being amongst the 2,200 guests was a real privilege and an unforgettable experience. We were in the presence of history. It is also worth highlighting the magnificent role the armed forces played in the Coronation, with military chiefs taking part in the procession in the Abbey itself, and the impressive parade that accompanied the King and Queen’s carriage to and from the Abbey.
My connection with the King and his work began through the Prince’s Trust. I first became involved with the Trust in 2002, when I wanted to mark the 25th anniversary of Travelex. By coincidence, I had founded the business in 1976, the very same year the King had used his small severance pay from the navy to start the Trust to help young people into education, employment or training.
Of the different programmes the charity ran, I was particularly struck by its work in helping young people from underprivileged backgrounds to start businesses. That kicked off the relationship and I was then asked to join the Development Committee, chaired by the late and much missed Lord David Young. I subsequently succeeded David on the main Board of the Trust in 2007 and became Chairman in 2015, the same year that Prince’s Trust International was launched. I was then asked to focus all my attention to help get PTI off the ground. We are proud to have successfully steered the Trust through the choppy waters of the Covid pandemic and it now operates in 22 countries. After I finished my second term as Chairman of PTI, I was made a Vice-President of the charity, so it’s special to keep the connection. It was lovely to see a number of young people the Trust has supported invited to attend the Abbey Service itself.
Away from the Trust, I have seen the King’s commitment, passion and care from a number of other charities and initiatives with which I’ve been involved. These include St Paul’s Cathedral’s “Remember Me” Covid Memorial and the Royal Opera House, of which he is Patron and where I became Chair last summer.
He has lent his support to many Jewish charities and causes over the years, including Holocaust-related organisations and World Jewish Relief. Four years ago, he organised a fantastic reception for our community at Buckingham Palace at a time when there was significant and rising anti-Semitism. The community was feeling more vulnerable and insecure than it had felt for a long time. The King intuitively understood this and his words that evening were powerful and reassuring.
He has been very concerned about the increase in hate crime affecting different communities. I became involved in those discussions which culminated in an amazing morning last December when the King came to visit CST’s offices in Hendon. Straight from there, he went on to tour the JW3 community centre which included the memorable moment of him dancing with Holocaust survivors. It was also wonderful that twenty CST staff and volunteers were invited to the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on 7 May.
He has a wider concern for and sensitivity to all minority and faith communities. At a reception for faith leaders he hosted just a week after becoming King, he spoke about Britain as a “community of communities” and his role as protecting all faiths. Further afield, through his pioneering work with the Prince’s Trust and so many other charities and causes, he has always dedicated his position to changing lives and making the world a better place.
Having seen him at close quarters, I have no doubt that the British Jewish community could have no greater friend. I am sure that we will continue to see this over the course of his reign.
Sir Lloyd Dorfman CVO CBE is Vice-President of Prince’s Trust International and an AJEX JMA Hon Patron.
