A man who received a letter on behalf of the Queen said he was “in tears” after he found out she had died.
Sujan Katuwal, part of London’s Gurkha community, received recognition after delivering more than 100,000 free meals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gurkhas, Nepalese fighters in the British army, have close ties to the monarchy.
Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday aged 96, ending a 70-year reign.
The Gurkha Welfare Trust said the Queen had a “special bond” with the Gurkhas.
‘Mother of our nation’
Mr Katuwal moved to London from Nepal aged 24, eventually settling in Greenwich, south-east London, home to the capital’s largest Nepalese population.
The Gurkhas’ relationship with the British military extends back to the 1800s.
The Royal Family, including the Queen, were present to celebrate 200 years of the Gurkhas’ service to the UK in London in 2015.
Mr Katuwal said the Queen was a well-loved figure in his native country.
“Even in Nepal, she is like the mother of our nation.”
Source: BBC News
