A Bradford businessman joked with the Prince of Wales as he received his MBE.

Dr Manoj Joshi DL, 71, a Ugandan-Indian refugee, and retired pharmaceutical business executive, was awarded an MBE for voluntary services to communities during Covid in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours List in 2022.

He was invested by the Prince of Wales at an official ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, February 23.

Dr Joshi said: “Wow, you have an awesome unforgettable moustache”, were the first words the Prince of Wales said to me. “Your Royal Highness, I will tell you in confidence, it’s Velcro, and we both burst out laughing.”

For the investiture ceremony, the chairman of Bradford Economic Partnership was accompanied by his wife, Bhavna Joshi, sister Jayshree Viyas and grand-daughter Bani Joshi, nine.

Dr Joshi added: “The fact that HRH Prince William invested me symbolises continuity, heritage and inspiration.

“It was an extra special moment to have my grand-daughter present for the honour ceremony as she represents the next generation and is the same age as Prince George.

“I feel humbled because the timing of the honour is not lost on me, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Ugandan-Indian refugees crisis and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours.”