Chief Adviser (CA) Professor Muhammad Yunus has been honoured with the King Charles III Harmony Award at a ceremony held at St James's Palace in London on Thursday.

King Charles presented the award to Prof Yunus in recognition of his contributions to promoting harmony between people, nature, and the environment, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder while speaking to media.

The award highlights Prof Yunus's efforts in improving the lives of marginalised communities and supporting a peaceful, sustainable world.

Calling it “a wonderful prize,” the CA expressed his gratitude to King Charles for supporting Bangladesh during this important time.

“This award recognises our work to uplift vulnerable communities and reflects the same values His Majesty believes in,” Prof Yunus said during the ceremony. 

He said that the honour would encourage young people in Bangladesh to build the kind of country they dream of.

Before the award presentation, King Charles welcomed the Chief Adviser for a private meeting at Buckingham Palace. The two spoke one-on-one for about thirty minutes, discussing topics of shared interest.

In June 2024, King Charles introduced a new set of awards aimed at encouraging harmony with nature. The first recipient of the King Charles III Harmony Award was former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The Harmony Award is given to individuals who show strong dedication to The King’s Harmony philosophy, which promotes sustainability and nature-focused practices in all areas of life.

Prof Yunus has long been involved in promoting social business ideas and supporting sustainable and socially responsible initiatives. His work has played a major role in reducing poverty in Bangladesh and beyond, according to The King’s Foundation.

Founded in 1990 by the then Prince of Wales, The King’s Foundation is a UK-based charity that gives this award each year to individuals with outstanding contributions to sustainable development and humanitarian efforts.

MSK/