Queen Elizabeth II hosted a reception in Buckingham Palace to celebrate 2017 UK-India Year of Culture.
An invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was extended for this reception, who nominated Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to represent him at the reception.
Guests have started to arrive at the UK-India reception to be greeted by musicians and dancers at Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/koBvMbvroQ — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 27, 2017
The event was attended by 200 eminent personalities, achievers from the field of sport, films, fashion, design, food, theatre and dance.
The Earl of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Princess Eugenie also attended the reception.
A projection of Indian motifs in the form of India's national bird, the peacock was projected on the facade of the Palace.
During the reception, a royal collection display also gave guests a chance to see items from royal visits to India, as well as gifts and manuscripts from the Royal Library.
To celebrate the 2017 year of culture, a host of events and exhibitions have been planned in UK and India.
West End and Star Wars actress Ayesha Dharker on why it is so important to talk about UK and India in this year of culture. pic.twitter.com/4o3b0RxYYk — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 27, 2017
"This is a wonderful change of scene and I hope it means that there will be lots of partnerships and interesting joining ups of things. I mean, it's funny because I feel as if it's already happening. You know, I think these two countries have been in love with each other. It's like a marriage, we are sort of stuck together for some weird reason," said Ayesha Dharkar, a British-Indian actress who appeared in Hollywood blockbuster Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
"It's lovely seeing the two countries come together to support culture," - @kunalnayyar pic.twitter.com/k3kdbAPhk7 — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 27, 2017
"It's very important. I think we've had a relationship of course that is, what - 250 .. 260-years-old? Indian culture is one that is getting a lot of global attention at the moment and to have the country of England and the Queen and the government behind us is very important and to be part of it as an Indian artist is really a dream for me," said British-Indian actor and writer Kunal Nayyar, known for his role in U.S. sitcom The Big Bang Theory.
