King Charles has expressed his “deep sorrow” following the death of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.
The King addressed the letter to the holy synodof the Georgian Orthodox Church and extended his sympathies to all those mourning the death.
He stated: “It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the passing of His Holiness Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.
“He will forever be remembered as a man who dedicated his life to the Georgian Orthodox Church, providing spiritual guidance and devoted service to the Georgian people.
King Charles has penned a letter expressing his sorrow following the death of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II
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“His work was characterised by wisdom and high moral authority, earning him great respect both in Georgia and abroad.
“His Holiness’s visit and meeting with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 exemplified the close and respectful ties between our churches and peoples.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the clergy and faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church, as well as to all who mourn his loss,” he concluded.
Ilia II died at the age of 93, with a nationwide day of mourning being declared in Georgia following the death.
He was buried earlier today at the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi.
The letter concludes a busy week for the monarch, who hosted his first State Visit of the year, with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady for the first time in 37 years.
Georgians lined the streets for His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II's funeral today
|GETTY
The occasion marked the first time since 1928, during the reign of George V, that a Muslim head of state has undertaken a state visit to Britain during the Islamic holy month.
To honour President Tinubu's faith and that of his delegation, the Royal Household implemented unprecedented modifications to traditional State Visit protocols.
The President and First Lady spent Wednesday night at Windsor Castle following the evening banquet, with their official farewell on Thursday.
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"We are most grateful to you for travelling during this holy month, which, I acknowledge, is no small sacrifice," the King said during his banquet address.
The banquet menu centred on vegetables and fish, sidestepping any concerns around halal meat requirements.
For the first time at a State Visit, canapés were offered before the formal dinner, enabling Muslim guests to break their fast after sunset while waiting for the 9pm meal.
President Tinubu and King Charles inside Windsor Castle | PAThe traditional formal lunch with the Royal Family was replaced by a private audience between the King and President Tinubu, respecting the daytime fasting observed during Ramadan.
A prayer room was made available within Windsor Castle, situated near the banquet hall for convenient access.
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