King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been in Bengaluru since October 27, taking part in a wellness retreat at the Soukya International Holistic Health Centre (SIHC) in Whitefield, according to The Indian Express. Their visit follows the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa from October 21 to 26, and the royal couple reportedly arrived in Bengaluru quietly, without formal reception by the state government at HAL Airport or official traffic arrangements.
During their stay, the 75-year-old King and Queen engaged in early morning yoga, rejuvenation treatments, meditation, and various therapeutic sessions provided by SIHC’s staff. They also enjoyed the campus’s food and scenic walks around the health center. According to the report, King Charles and Camilla are expected to depart Bengaluru today, marking the end of their discreet wellness retreat.
“The couple who have stayed in the medical facility on a couple of occasions in the past took various wellness treatments, including Ayurveda and Naturopathy. Their morning routine included yoga sessions,” an official told PTI.
“They were on a special diet as part of the various wellness treatment they underwent here. They underwent rejuvenative treatment, which also included meditation and therapies,” the official said. “They also enjoyed long walks around the 30-acre campus and going to organic farm…They were at the facility for three days and left the city this morning,” he added.
During their stay, the royal couple visited the Soukya International Holistic Health Centre, a wellness retreat founded by Dr. Issac Mathai and Dr. Suja Issac where they were welcomed for therapies like Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Acupressure, Yoga, and Homeopathy. Dr. Mathai has been a holistic physician to Charles for over a decade and was present at his coronation.
This trip marks King Charles III’s first visit to Bengaluru as the reigning monarch, though he previously visited the city multiple times as the Prince of Wales. Notably, he celebrated his 71st birthday at the Soukya International Holistic Health Centre (SIHC) in Bengaluru, the same wellness retreat he is visiting now. Following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022, Charles ascended to the throne as the new king, making this visit significant as his first to Bengaluru in his new role.
The last official visit by British royals to India took place in 2016 when Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, embarked on a mission to enhance UK-India relations. Their journey included iconic stops at the Taj Mahal, bustling Mumbai, and vibrant Delhi, where they mingled with Bollywood stars, sports legends, and local leaders.They also ventured to Assam in northeastern India, where they explored the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaziranga National Park.