Windsor Castle opens St George’s Hall to Muslims observing Ramadan, as they gather in the ceremonial room for the first time in history to break their fast

Windsor Castle made history over the weekend by hosting its first-ever Ramadan event inside St George’s Hall.

More than 360 guests from all backgrounds arrived for the Iftar – the fast-breaking evening meal for Muslims during the ninth month of Ramadan. 

The Berkshire-based royal residence welcomed attendees for Iftar for the first time in British history last year, but this year’s location of St George’s Hall is major upgrade from 2024, when it was held in the Learning Centre.

The Royal Collection Trust website reads: ‘Break fast with us this Ramadan at Windsor Castle! Open to people of all faiths and none, join us for a visit to the majestic State Apartments, followed by a meal after sunset in the magnificent St George’s Hall.’

Guests at the free-to-attend event started with a self-guided tour of the State Apartments at Windsor Castle before taking to St George’s Hall, where State banquets are often held, for their ‘very special Iftar meal’.

Open Iftar, organised by the award-winning charity Ramadan Tent Project in collaboration with Royal Collection Trust, will host similar events across the UK in the coming weeks, including at Shakespeare’s Globe and Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project, said: ‘Breaking our fast and marking the holy month of Ramadan at Windsor Castle, one of the most famous and iconic royal landmarks in the world, is an incredibly surreal and poignant moment to share with people of all faiths and none.

‘It serves as a powerful reminder of how proud we are to represent a pillar of Britain’s rich cultural ecology celebrating community, belonging and inclusion.

‘It is an honour to be welcomed back to host Open Iftar at some of Britain’s most iconic and loved venues. 

‘To receive overwhelming interest from new partners and spaces across the capital and the UK is a beautiful tribute to Ramadan. 

‘Ramadan holds profound significance for millions observing across the UK and many more across the globe. It is a time of deep introspection, reflection, and self-discipline where we connect and engage in worship with family and friends through acts of service and charity. 

‘We are incredibly grateful to our partners, sponsors, and volunteers for supporting the work of Ramadan Tent Project in turning strangers into friends.’

Elsewhere, Simon Maples, Visitor Operations Director at Royal Collection Trust commented on the events, saying: ‘After the success of hosting our first Open Iftar event last year in the Castle’s Learning Centre, we were delighted to be able to work with Ramadan Tent Project again this year. 

‘Even more excitingly, this year we are hosting the event in St George’s Hall, the largest of the Castle’s magnificent State Apartments, where State Banquets usually take place – meaning that we can welcome more than 350 guests to share an Iftar meal together in this historic setting. 

‘The event has been a fantastic opportunity to welcome people from the local community and those of all faiths and backgrounds to the Castle, in support of Royal Collection Trust’s charitable aim to ensure that the Palaces and the Royal Collection can be enjoyed by everyone.

‘It has been a team effort from colleagues across the Castle, working closely with Ramadan Tent Project, to deliver such an amazing event.’ 

It comes after King Charles adopted his first dog in more than 20 years – as he and Queen Camilla welcomed two new puppies to the Royal Family.

The monarch, 76, was given the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy – called Snuff – as a gift four weeks ago, and he is reportedly ‘besotted’ with the new addition.

Camilla, 77, also confirmed this week that she has adopted a rescue puppy named Moley, months after she was heartbroken to lose her beloved Jack Russell Beth.

Snuff, whose breed is a truffle-hunting dog from Italy, is King Charles’ first dog in around two decades.

The King previously had a Jack Russell called Tigga who he adopted shortly after the then-prince started a family with Princess Diana. However, the pup died in 2002 aged 18.

An insider told The Sun that Charles is ‘besotted’ with his new puppy.

It is understood that the dog was a private gift, with no connection to Charles and Camilla’s upcoming visit to Ravenna in northern Italy – where the breed originates.

The source said: ‘Charles is besotted with his puppy.

‘He hasn’t had one since Tigga. The breed is a truffle-hunter.

‘Charles enjoys mushroom foraging, so they have a lot in common.’

The Kennel Club note that the name of the breed – Lagotto Romagnolo – is informative about its nature.

‘Lagotto is an Italian dialect word for ‘curly coated duck retriever’ and Romagne was the district in northern Italy where the breed was developed, a landscape of expansive marshes,’ the website explains.

‘However, the reclamation and draining of the marshes in the early 20th century brought the departure of the ducks and so there was less demand for this retrieving breed.

‘However, the acute scenting powers of the Lagotto have been utilised in truffle hunting and this is now his primary use in his native land.

‘The breed was recognised by the Italian Kennel Club in 1991 ,and so he is a relative newcomer to the UK, where he has shown his retrieving skills in gundog working tests.’

Camilla confirmed she had also adopted a new puppy last week.

She said: ‘I’ve just got a new puppy, he’s eight weeks old.

‘It’s a rescue dog called Moley. It looks just like a mole.’

It is believed the royal’s new pet was rehomed from the world-famous Battersea Dogs and Cats home, where she adopted her dogs Beth and Bluebell in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Her Majesty was left heartbroken when Beth, a Jack Russell Terrier, died last November.

When the King attended the Royal Variety Performance weeks later, he told TV presenter Amanda Holden – who is an ambassador for the world-famous animal rescue centre in London – that they planned to get a new dog.

The Queen revealed the happy news as she affectionately stroked a guide dog while meeting a partially-sighted museum group in the Beaney House of Art & Knowledge located in the centre of Canterbury’s bustling high street.

A Battersea spokesperson said: ‘We’re pleased to confirm that Battersea has recently rehomed an eight-week-old Jack Russell Terrier cross female puppy, called Moley, to our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.

‘The Queen has long been a supporter of Battersea’s work and has previously rehomed two rescue dogs from our charity.’