The Prince of Wales’s nose proved an irresistible attraction to a toddler whose parents endured watching their home burn to the ground during the Tottenham riots.
Charles returned to the scene of the major disturbance to learn how the area is recovering following a major injection of funds and resources.
The heir to the throne shared a lighter moment with husband and wife Mehmet and Burcin Akbasak – who lost their home when rioters set fire to the Carpetright building and flats above.
The dramatic pictures of the Tottenham landmark glowing red hot became a iconic image of the August 2011 riots.
In the shadow of the rebuilt building, Charles sympathised with Mr Akbasak and his wife – who are originally from Turkey – as the couple held their twin daughters Kayla and Lara aged 12 months.
Kayla reached out and made a grab for the prince’s nose and he leant forward and happily let the toddler play with his face. Mr Akbasak, 33, said: “Both my daughters are friendly but Kayla was quite interested in the prince and they shared a nice moment.”
He went on to describe the experience of fleeing from his home during the riots: “It was a nightmare, it was horrible, we lost everything. I escaped with one of my neighbours and we went to his office and watched the building burning on telly, we realised we could not return. I was a graphic designer and photographer before the riots, I was always into aviation and my childhood dream was to become a pilot so I decided to change career.”
Mr Akbasak, who has qualified for his private pilot’s licence and is now training to be a commercial flier, added: “The prince asked us about the riots and how we felt to be moving back in April, and when I told him about becoming a pilot, he wished me good luck.”
Charles’ visit to Tottenham was his fourth to the area following the riots and a number of his charities and organisations are helping with the borough’s regeneration and providing support to young people.