Embassy of Afghanistan, London
| Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوری سفارت سفارت جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان | |
|---|---|
| Location | South Kensington, London |
| Address | 31 Princes Gate, London, SW7 1QQ |
| Coordinates | 51°30′5.04″N 0°10′27.48″W / 51.5014000°N 0.1743000°W |
| Closed | 27 September 2024 |
| Website | http://afghanistanembassy.org.uk/english/ |
The Embassy of Afghanistan in London (Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوری سفارت; Dari: سفارت جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان) was the primary diplomatic mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Kingdom. The building formerly occupied by the embassy is located at 31 Princes Gate in London's South Kensington district.[1]
The building was constructed by Charles James Freake in the late 1850s.[2]
Earlier residents include the industrialist Charles Wright, chairman of Baldwins,[3] and George Whiteley, 1st Baron Marchamley.[4]
History
Afghanistan established its diplomatic presence in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century, with formal ties beginning in 1922. That year, Abdul Hadi Dawi was appointed as the first Minister Plenipotentiary to London, marking a significant step in the country’s international diplomacy.[5] A few years later, in 1925, the Afghan government acquired the building at 31 Princes Gate in South Kensington, which would serve as the official embassy for nearly a century.[6]
Building
The embassy is housed in a Victorian-era townhouse built in the mid-19th century by Charles James Freake. Prior to its use as a diplomatic mission, the building was the residence of several notable figures, including industrialist Charles Wright and Lord George Whiteley.[6]
Diplomatic status and closure
After the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021, Afghanistan's embassy in London faced a complex diplomatic challenge. Ambassador Zalmai Rassoul, appointed under the previous Afghan government, continued to head the mission. The UK Foreign Office allowed him to remain in post, on the basis that he represented the Afghan people, not the Taliban regime.[5]
However, by September 2024, the situation had changed. After Taliban authorities formally dismissed the embassy’s staff, the UK government requested the embassy's closure. On 27 September 2024, the mission officially shut down, and the keys were handed back to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Although the embassy ceased operations, the Afghan flag continued to fly above the building, symbolising the UK's policy of non-recognition of the Taliban.[7][8][9]
Consular services
Until its closure in 2024, the embassy provided a full range of consular services, including visa processing, passport renewals, document legalisations, birth registrations, and powers of attorney. Services were available Monday to Friday, with specific timings for submission and collection of documents.[10]
Impact on Afghan diaspora
The embassy's closure left thousands of Afghans in the United Kingdom and Ireland in limbo. Many could no longer renew passports or obtain critical legal documents, complicating travel and immigration procedures. Asylum seekers in particular were among the most affected by the embassy’s absence.[7][9]
Gallery
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in London
- Afghanistan–United Kingdom relations
- Embassy of the United Kingdom, Kabul
- Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Afghanistan
- Category:Ambassadors of Afghanistan to the United Kingdom
References
- ^ "Embassy of Afghanistan". Retrieved 23 January 2014.
- ^ "Princes Gate and Princes Gardens: the Freake Estate: Development by C.J. Freake", Survey of London, volume 45: Knightsbridge (2000), pp. 191–205. Available here at British History Online. Accessed 6 February 2014.
- ^ "Princes Gate and Princes Gardens: The Freake Estate: Some Former Residents", Survey of London, volume 45: Knightsbridge (2000), pp. 209–210. Available here at British History Online. Accessed 6 February 2014.
- ^ The Constitutional Yearbook, 1901.
- ^ a b Harding, Luke (August 2023). "Defying the Taliban: The Ambassador Without a Country". The New Yorker. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Embassy of Afghanistan, London". Layers of London. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Afghan Embassy In London To Close After Diplomats Dismissed". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Afghanistan's London embassy to close after Taliban fired diplomats". Associated Press. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Afghan embassy in UK shutters after Taliban cuts ties". Arab News. AFP. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ^ "Contact – Embassy of Afghanistan, London". Embassy of Afghanistan. Retrieved 19 June 2025.