Prof Muhammad Yunus left London on Friday, ending a four-day visit that combined royal recognition, private talks and a few political discussions. His return flight marks the close of a trip aimed at reinforcing Bangladesh’s ties with the United Kingdom, though some moments were clearly more personal than diplomatic.
He flew out of Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight around 7:15 pm, according to Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The Chief Adviser is expected to land in Dhaka on Saturday morning.
High Commissioner Abida Islam was at the airport to see him off.
Four busy days in London
Prof Yunus had arrived in London Tuesday, setting a full schedule in motion. The official reason? To renew and deepen cooperation between Dhaka and London — trade, investment and broader economic ties were all on the table.
But the real spotlight came Thursday.
At St. James Palace, the Nobel Laureate accepted the King Charles III Harmony Award. The prize, launched just last year, honors those whose work bridges the gap between people, nature and sustainable living. It’s not the kind of thing given lightly.
“It is a wonderful prize,” Prof Yunus told attendees. “And I think it will inspire young people in Bangladesh to create the country they dream about.” That’s how he put it, pausing briefly before adding thanks to King Charles for standing by Bangladesh during what he called a pivotal moment.
A lifetime of influence
The King’s Foundation highlighted Prof Yunus’ long career fighting poverty and promoting sustainable development. Many know him best for pioneering microcredit and championing social business. His impact extends well beyond Bangladesh.
Ahead of the ceremony, King Charles met privately with Prof Yunus at Buckingham Palace. The two spoke for about 30 minutes. Neither side offered detailed readouts, but officials said they discussed topics of mutual interest.
Shafiqul Alam, the Chief Adviser’s press secretary, called the award “a rare honour” for Prof Yunus and a point of pride for Bangladesh. He also reminded reporters that King Charles had written a foreword for one of Prof Yunus’ books, a personal gesture that now seems even more significant.
It’s worth mentioning that the King only recently launched the Harmony Awards, in June 2024. The initiative reflects the monarch’s growing focus on sustainability across sectors — something that aligns naturally with Prof Yunus’ work.
Political talks on the side
The visit wasn’t all ceremony.
Prof Yunus also sat down with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman during his stay. The two reportedly discussed the roadmap for Bangladesh’s next general election. No further details were shared, at least not officially.
What comes next?
Prof Yunus returns home with both an award and a handful of private conversations behind him. Whether the trip leads to concrete shifts in UK-Bangladesh relations — or in domestic politics — is less clear.
Still, the Harmony Award brings renewed international attention to his work and ideas. That’s not trivial. And for a man who’s spent much of his life pushing for change, recognition like this might be as much a challenge as a reward.
Let’s see where that goes next.
