Highlights
- Across the world, there have been more than 125,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and at least 4,413 reported deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- As at 11:00 hrs on 12 March 2020, Australia had 126 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), including 3 deaths.
Amid the rapid spread of coronavirus cases across the world, Prince of Wales exercised caution and went in for a ‘Namaste’ (the Indian traditional greeting which involves placing palms together) instead of a handshake to greet others on the red carpet.
On Wednesday, when Prince Charles arrived at the London Palladium for the Prince’s Trust Awards, he was first seen attempting to shake the hand of Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.
But he quickly retracted his hand and offered a ‘Namaste’ instead.
“I do it all the time,” the royal is heard saying.
Prince Charles continued greeting all the guests with Namaste for the rest of the evening which included stars like Hollywood actor Pierce Brosnan, television presenters Ant and Dec and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.
The Prince of Wales greets Pierce Brosnan (centre) with a Namaste gesture as he arrives at the annual Prince's Trust Awards 2020 Source: AAP Image/Yui Mok/PA Wire
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On Thursday, Prince Charles continued the greeting practise at the investiture ceremony too.
'A wonderful way to greet people'
The video has gone viral and has received a lot of attention on social media, especially among Indians.
Namaste is a customary non-contact form of Indian greeting which conveys that “the divine in me respectfully recognizes the divine in you.”
The age-old practice is widely used to greet people in India and by the Indian diaspora abroad.
Actress Priyanka Chopra recently hinted it was time for people to adapt to Namaste in changing times.
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