Prince Charles has recorded a special message to the Sikh community on the festival of Vaisakhi.
Wishing Sikhs a "happy, safe and peaceful" Vaisakhi - the festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community - the heir to the throne thanked the Sikh community for its "extraordinary and invaluable contribution to the life of this country".
In the video posted to Twitter, Charles also took the opportunity to note the "heartwarming" reports of different faith communities pulling together to support communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes as Charles tested positive for Covid-19 last month, self-isolating for seven days in according with Government guidelines.
Sending his best wishes to the Sikh community, he said: "I know that Vaisakhi is an occasion when, in happier times, families and friends come together to celebrate the birth of Khalsa and to renew their bonds of community.
"This year, of course, due to the current public health crisis, such gatherings will not be possible.
"I can only imagine what a great sadness that must be for so many of you."
He added: "In the United Kingdom, as elsewhere, Sikhs are playing a vital role on the frontline of this crisis, whether in hospitals or other key roles, or through the remarkable work that is being done by gurdwaras to support local communities and the most vulnerable.
"I've also heard such heartwarming reports of different faith communities pulling together with gurdwaras, temples, mosques, churches and other religious groups sharing their resources and offering each other support and friendship in these challenging times.
"In all this, it seems to me, Sikhs so marvellously embody the values on which Guru Nanak founded your religion, over five centuries ago: hard work, respect and selfless service to those less fortunate than yourselves.
"At the same time, I know that many of you are suffering personally from the cruel effects of this pernicious virus, or tragically have lost those you love.
"I can only say that my heart goes out to you under such very difficult circumstances."
Charles said both he and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are grateful for the Sikh community's "outstanding efforts".
"In these challenging times, the Sikh community is making an extraordinary and invaluable to the life of this country and to so many others, just as it has always done," he said.
"So, my wife and I just wanted you to know how grateful we are and how much your outstanding efforts are admired by us all.
"We both send you our heartfelt best wishes for a happy, safe and peaceful Vaisakhi."
