Prince Charles steers a peloton of cyclists from his Highgrove home, part of an unique fundraising event for Covid-19 relief in South Asia, led by Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale, that charts a route through some of UK’s most beautiful palaces.

HRH The Prince of Wales rides his British bicycle in the grounds of Highgrove, along with Manoj Badale and the rest of the cyclists riding to raise funds

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales recently kickstarted this year’s ‘Palaces on Wheels’ cycling event, a fundraising initiative by the British Asian Trust. Rajasthan Royals’ lead owner and the British Asian Trust Chairman, Manoj Badale is also part of this unique cycling event called to raise funds for Covid relief across South Asia. The event sees over 30 cyclists out of Highgrove, Prince Charles’s Gloucestershire home, endure a unique 420km / 250 mile route that will see them visit some of the UK’s most iconic Royal Households and Palaces (including Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and Sandringham, over four days of cycling that started this Thursday.

As he pedalled away from his Highgrove home, Prince Charles was cheered along a path lined by dhol drummers. The aim of the event was largely to raise funds for Covid related initiatives led by Manoj Badale chaired the British Asian Trust and their work in South Asia, aimed towards helping out millions of people who’ve suffered from the effects of the pandemic.

Manoj Badale, Rajaasthan Royals lead owner and Chairman, British Asian Trust

Manoj, who has led on several initiatives in the region through the British Asian Trust, has also worked extensively through his team, Rajasthan Royals and has played a key role in working towards a lot of socio-economic issues in the state. Earlier in the month of April, Rajasthan Royals had also announced a contribution of INR 7.5 Crores (over $1 million) towards Covid Relief to help with immediate support to people in India impacted by the surge of Covid-19 virus.

HRH Prince Charles and actor Sanjeev Bhaskaran share a laugh at Highgrove

“We’ve all got our responsibility to do our bit for the people of South Asia that are suffering at the hands of a devastating pandemic, especially the ones that are disadvantaged,” says Manoj Badale, lead owner of Rajasthan Royals and Chairman of the British Asian Trust. “It’s an initiative that is looking pan-region and to harness complete effort towards regenerating a certain section of the population that needs help on various fronts. Obviously, I have a special connection in the region through Rajasthan Royals and it’s really special to be able to have a medium and a framework in sport via which we can facilitate an initiative to have a greater reach.”

Photo montage of the riders participating in the Palaces on Wheels cycling event

“On behalf of all the riders, donors, and sponsors, we are in the privileged position of making life-defining changes for those in real need, which truly is a humbling honour,” says Rohit Chadha, a supporter of the British Asian Trust and Founder of the event, who is leading the team. “Since 2016, with the incredible support and patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales, we have raised in excess of £1 million to date but the work is never done. This month we hope to add significantly to that total with our latest ride – Palaces on Wheels – in the UK for the first time”.

Wearing a beige jacket and trousers, paired with suede shoes, Prince Charles joked with British Asian Trust ambassador and comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar, as he rode a British-made Pashley bike, just ahead of the lycra-clad riders.

Palaces on Wheels 2021 Introduction