British High Commission in New Delhi celebrates the King’s birthday

His Majesty’s love for India’s people and culture is well known, and he has commended India’s international leadership on climate, which is an issue that is crucially important to him. His Majesty has remained a strong advocate for an even closer UK-India partnership, and with the historic Free Trade Agreement – the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) – coming into force, 2026 has been a stellar year to celebrate.

The evening’s gala event included UK Secretaries of State Dame Angela Eagle, Douglas Alexander, and Jonathan Reynolds alongside a powerhouse delegation of eight mayors and leaders from northern England, business and university leaders. India’s Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh was invited as the Chief Guest.

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said:

The King’s Birthday Party is an opportunity to celebrate His Majesty The King, a passionate environmentalist and advocate for closer UK and India ties. Like the Sonoma tree gifted by PM Modi to His Majesty last year, the UK-India partnership has grown both in strength and ambition in 2026, with our landmark Free Trade Agreement now in effect. It is fantastic to join so many friends and ambassadors of the UK-India living bridge in Delhi to celebrate both His Majesty and our partnership together.

Such a significant delegation visiting India for the King’s Birthday Party is symbolic of a relationship that matters to the whole of the UK. The trade deal has opened new opportunities right across the United Kingdom, generating jobs and investment in sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing and clean energy to technology and life sciences; and supporting universities and businesses from every corner of the UK as they look to India as a long-term partner for investment, exports and innovation.

Guests were treated to a live performance by Indian soprano Anusha Merrin, a recent graduate from Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music. The best of British food, drink and innovation was on display, including the Bentley Continental GT, DBX 707 Aston Martin, Range Rover and a live culinary experience featuring Scottish Salmon by Chef Vineet Bhatia MBE, Ambassador for the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign.

This year’s King’s Birthday Party celebration in Delhi was made possible by the gracious support of HSBC India, BAE Systems, Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools- Gurugram (Part of GEDU Global Education), Virgin Atlantic, Baker Mckenzie, bp, MBDA, British Airways, Shell India, Aston Martin New Delhi, Bentley Motors, the TATA owned Modern Luxury brand – Jaguar Land Rover, Bacardi India Pvt Ltd, Ben’s Cookies in exclusive partnership with DS Group, Diageo India, Edrington India Pvt Ltd, Fortune Gourmet Specialities, Pladis Global, Suntory Global Spirits, William Grant and Sons India Pvt Ltd.

Further information

free-to-use high resolution images from the event will be made available on Flickr
His Majesty The King celebrated his official 78th birthday on 13 June 2026. The King’s Birthday Party is celebrated by British Embassies and High Commissions around the world
His Majesty’s most recent official visit to India was in November 2019 when he visited New Delhi and Mumbai to celebrate British-India connections with a focus on sustainable markets, climate change, and social finance
Jonathan Reynolds is Secretary of State, Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST). Douglas Alexander is Secretary of State for Scotland. Dame Angela Eagle is Secretary of State, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
trade delegations, education leaders and Northern Mayors are visiting India this week to build on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and establish new connections with Indian counterparts. The Great North delegation included:
- Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor and Chair of the Great North
- Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester
- Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region
- Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
- David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
- Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire
- Luke Campbell, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire
- Louise Gittens, Chairperson, Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority