Prince Charles pledges ‘game changer’ partnership to help parents of teen who died from allergic reaction to a Pret baguette with their campaign for safer food labels – and says he was ‘moved beyond words’ by their ‘selfless’ dedication to helping others

• Prince Charles has partnered with the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
• His Prince’s Foundation will aid in the charity’s campaign to eradicate allergies 
• The foundation was founded by the parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15
• Natasha died in July 2016 after having an allergic reaction to a Pret sandwich 

Prince Charles pledged a ‘game changer’ partnership to help the parents of a teenager who died following a severe allergic reaction in their campaign for safer food labels.

The Prince of Wales, 73, pledged to help the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation’s campaign to eradicate allergies at a global symposium in Scotland on Wednesday after having been ‘moved beyond words’ by the charity’s efforts.

The foundation was established by the parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died from anaphylaxis – the most severe form of an allergic reaction – in July 2016 after eating a Pret sandwich before boarding a flight at Heathrow airport.

Since their 15-year-old daughter’s death, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, have dedicated themselves to preventing and eradicating allergic disease.

Charles, pledging a partnership between the charity and his own Prince’s Foundation, said applauded Natasha’s parents for having ‘selflessly dedicated themselves to preventing other families suffering in the same way’.

The Prince of Wales, 73, pledged to help the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation’s campaign to eradicate allergies at a global symposium in Scotland on Wednesday 

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse (pictured) died in July 2016, aged 15, after eating a Pret a Manger artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette before boarding a flight at Heathrow airport

The royal announced the partnership with his foundation, which champions sustainable living, at the Global Allergy Symposium at Dumfries House in Cumnock on Wednesday.

Addressing the room, Charles said: ‘Would there be any added value to having a partnership with what you’re trying to do, my Foundation and your efforts on allergies, because it fits with so many things I’ve tried to do and the messages I want to get across.’ 

Tanya and Nadim said Charles’s support was a ‘game-changer’ and that they were ‘absolutely thrilled that His Royal Highness has pledged the support of his Prince’s Foundation to tackle the allergy epidemic.’

‘It will be a game-changer for the one-in-three people in this country with an allergy,’ they told the press after his announcement.

‘We were deeply moved by his personal interest in what is driving the allergy epidemic and how he can help us take steps to turn the tide.’

The royal announced the partnership with his foundation, which champions sustainable living, at the Global Allergy Symposium at Dumfries House in Cumnock on Wednesday (pictured)

Natasha’s parents Nadim (left) and Tanya Ednan-Laperous (right) said Charles’s support was a ‘game-changer’ and that they were ‘absolutely thrilled that His Royal Highness has pledged the support of his Prince’s Foundation to tackle the allergy epidemic’

The two-day conference, organised by Natasha’s Foundation, saw 16 world-leading allergy experts from the UK, US, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong and Denmark discuss environmental factors such as biodiversity loss and climate change that are known to be major risk factors for emerging allergies. 

Charles joined the conference on Wednesday. During the event, he spoke about ‘going organic’ and ‘making the polluters pay’ to address some of the environmental factors that can contribute to emerging allergies.

The idea of bringing the world’s leading allergy and environment experts together was first raised by Charles, who is known as The Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, following the 2018 inquest into Natasha’s death which highlighted the growing allergic epidemic, particularly among children and young people.

The artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette she ate had sesame seeds baked into the dough, to which Natasha was severely allergic, however the label did not mention this ingredient.

A coroner concluded that Natasha would not have eaten the baguette if the sesame seeds had been included on the label. 

Professor James Gern, attending the conference, spoke about his role looking at early life environment factors associated with wheezing illnesses, particularly those caused by respiratory viruses.

He told the room about the importance of exposure to animals at a young age as a protective measure.

‘In suburban homes, we find that exposure to a dog is one of the most important protective factors if it starts about the time of birth,’ he said.

‘In farming studies, it shows the more animal contact in early life or during the prenatal period really benefits the child.’

During the conference, Prince Charles (pictured Wednesday) spoke about ‘going organic’ and ‘making the polluters pay’ to address some of the environmental factors that can contribute to emerging allergies

Professor James Gern (pictured Wednesday), attending the conference, spoke about his role looking at early life environment factors associated with wheezing illnesses, particularly those caused by respiratory viruses

The conference came after new rules — now known as Natasha’s Law — were introduced last October to ensure allergy advice is given on all food.

Now, Tanya and Nadim have launched a new trial to investigate whether commonly available peanut and milk products can be used as a treatment for people with food allergies.

The £2.2million three-year immunotherapy trial — which will be done under medical supervision — will give patients tiny doses to slowly build their tolerance.

A coroner concluded that Natasha (pictured) would not have eaten the baguette if the sesame seeds – to which she was severely allergic – had been included on the label

It could mean people who may have otherwise died from just a drop of milk could be able to eat popular foods like cakes, curries and pizza, Mr and Mrs Ednan-Laperouse claim.

The study will recruit 216 people between the ages of three and 23 with an allergy to cow’s milk, and aged six to 23 with an allergy to peanuts.

Following an initial 12 months of desensitisation under strict medical supervision, those taking part will be followed for two more years to provide longer-term data.

Before Wednesday’s conference, Charles visited the Lanark Community Development Trust outside the Lanark Auction Market to pet some Clydesdale horses as he helped commemorate the breed’s recent tricentenary.

The Trust had hoped to install a sculpture honouring Clydesdale horses in time for the 300th anniversary of the breed in 2020, but the project was delayed by the pandemic. It was finally unveiled this summer.

Charles was greeted by Lady Susan Haughey, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, and Sylvia Russell, chairwoman of Lanark Community Development Trust, and met sculptor Dan Adams, who told him how he had created the artwork.

A number of Clydesdale horses, including two police horses, were in the field beside the sculpture and the prince stroked some of them as he chatted to the people looking after them.

Before Wednesday’s conference, Charles visited the Lanark Community Development Trust outside the Lanark Auction Market to pet some Clydesdale horses

A number of Clydesdale horses, including two police horses, were in the field beside the sculpture and the prince stroked some of them as he chatted to the people looking after them

The Trust had hoped to install a sculpture honouring Clydesdale horses in time for the 300th anniversary of the breed in 2020, but the project was delayed by the pandemic. It was finally unveiled this summer

Mrs Russell said the trust was ‘delighted’ that the prince, who has been patron of The Clydesdale Horse Society since 2007, had paid them a visit.

She said: ‘It was wonderful to meet the prince. We were thrilled he decided to come and visit. He was very interested in everything.’

Sculptor Mr Adams, from the Cod Steaks model-making company in Bristol, said he enjoyed meeting Charles.

‘It was an honour,’ he said. ‘He is a lovely chap.’

Earlier in the day, Charles visited New Lanark, a purpose-built mill village created by David Dale and Robert Owen in the 18th century. It became a model for industrial communities that was to spread across the world in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Charles viewed a display of industrial artefacts and was also expected to see giant steam engines and the huge main textile room where the preserved looms are still in operation, producing textiles for commercial use.

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