Britain's first ever Hindu Prime Minister received a kind gesture from King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
As part of the constitutional process of welcoming in a new Prime Minister, Charles formally appointed Rishi Sunak as the country's new head of government. The two men met in the palace's extravagant 1844 Room where a special selection of sweets in honour of Diwali were placed.
The festival was celebrated all across the world by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. It comes after Mr Sunak's appointment has triggered a sense of pride among Indian communities in Britain.
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India's leader Narendra Modi even offered Mr Sunak "special" Diwali wishes as the "living bridge" of British Indians. Born in Hampshire to Indian migrant parents, Mr Sunak is married to Akshata Murthy - the daughter of billionaire Indian IT giant Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy.
The senior politician was welcomed into Buckingham Palace by Sit Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Queen Consort, Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, and Sir Edward Young, the late Queen's former private secretary who is now joint principal private secretary to the King.
As he was ushered into the 1844 Room to share an audience with the King, sweet treats were laid out on a side table to celebrate the festical. The King and Prime Minister have met on a number of previous occasions, including a reception celebrating the British Asian Trust which was established by Charles.
Mr Sunak has previously publicly marked Divali by laying out a traditional rangoli decoration and lit diyas (oil lamps) at the doorstep of his official number 11 Downing Street.
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