Ghandi was the famous civil rights and peace activist who campaigned for Indian independence, before being assassinated in 1948. His life was the subject of Richard Attenborough’s famous 1982 eponymous film, which starred Ben Kingsley in the lead role. Charles’ post was in honour of the 150th anniversary of Ghandi’s birth.

On a simple white background, with the Clarence House insignia at the top, it read: “Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of peace and non-violence, forgiveness and love for the whole of humanity are every bit as powerful and relevant in today’s world as they were in his lifetime. India was blessed to have such a man as one of their own, and his example has inspired countless millions. Ghandi’s remarkable life was a gift to all humankind, which is truly worthy of global celebration on this 150th anniversary of his birth.”

The message was signed “HRH The Prince of Wales”, and the post was captioned: “Today marks 150 years since Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. The Prince of Wales celebrates his life and contribution to people all across the world in a message to mark the occasion. #GandhiJayanti.”

Many followers of the Prince of Wales showed their appreciation of his act of remembrance by posting hearts and praying hand emojis.

The message was signed “HRH The Prince of Wales”, and the post was captioned: “Today marks 150 years since Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. The Prince of Wales celebrates his life and contribution to people all across the world in a message to mark the occasion. #GandhiJayanti.”

The future King of England has varied and extensive connections to India.

His Godfather, Lord Mountbatten, was the UK’s last Viceroy of India, who oversaw India’s independence, becoming in the process the first Governor-General of independent India in 1947.

Mountbatten would later be killed by an IRA bomb in 1979, which also killed his grandson Nicholas.

He also spent his 65th birthday in 2013 at Kumarakom Lake Resort in the country, alongside his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.

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But the country would also come to symbolise two awkward and painful moments in Charles’ life.

The first occurred when he made a royal visit to India, shortly before marrying Princess Diana.

In her book ‘The Royals’, Kitty Kelley recalls how the Prince of Wales unwittingly made an offensive joke, while visiting the Taj Mahal.

She wrote: “Reporters followed Charles on his visit to the Taj Mahal and asked what he thought of the grand monument to passion built by a Mogul emperor in memory of his wife.

“‘A marvellous idea,’ said Charles, ‘to build something so wonderful to someone one loved so very much.’

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“An Indian reporter asked about the Prince’s own prospects for a wife, and Charles left him breathless with his odd response.

“I’m encouraged by the fact that if I were to become a Muslim,’ he said, ‘I could have lots of wives.”

“The British reporters glanced at one another uncomfortable, wondering if the Prince was joking.

“None quoted him verbatim. Even Britain’s reporters remained deferential to royalty.

“They softened their stories on the Queen and her heir by withholding newsworthy details and, in this case, ignoring the revealing quotation.

“Instead they wrote as Her Majesty’s obedient servants. They reported that Charles said: ‘I can understand that love could make a man build the Taj Mahal for his wife. One day I would like to bring my own back here.”

The Taj Mahal would come to be forever associated with the breakdown of his marriage to Diana.

Twelve years after his first visit, Charles returned to India with Diana.

While Charles went to Dehli, Diana visited the fabulous ivory-white mausoleum on the banks of the Yamuna river.

She was subsequently pictured sitting alone on a bench outside the mausoleum.

This picture would come to symbolise both the Princess’ isolation and the fact that her marriage to Charles was in serious trouble.

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