In November 1996 HRH the Prince of Wales visited Uzbekistan as part of a tour of Central Asia. His visit programme included a formal opening of the current premises of the British Embassy as well as the present office of the British Council.

The opening of the British Embassy in Tashkent was the culmination of a complex project to identify suitable premises and transform them into a functioning, fit-for-purpose office and Residence. The early 20th century ‘osobnyak’ (townhouse) which the Embassy eventually leased and rebuilt was one of the few remaining buildings of its period in the Uzbek capital and had its own link to history being known locally as the ‘Kerensky House’ for its family connection to a pre-Revolutionary Prime Minister of Russia. After three previous temporary homes, it allowed the Embassy to spread its wings and represent the UK with confidence.

Since The Prince of Wales’s visit coincided with Remembrance Day, an open-air commemorative service was organised in the Embassy’s pretty, vine-enclosed garden. HRH was able to meet members of the British, Commonwealth and international communities as well as four highly decorated Uzbek veterans of the Great Patriotic War (World War II) who had served in the armed forces of the then USSR.

After the service, HRH planted a magnolia tree in the Embassy's young garden, which still flourishes as a symbol of friendship between the peoples of Great Britain and Uzbekistan.

Ten years later, on 12 November 2006, the British Ambassador to Uzbekistan David Moran held a tree-planting ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Uzbekistan. He said, 'I wanted to plant my own magnolia tree for two reasons. Firstly, it provides a fitting way to commemorate HRH's visit. Secondly, it serves as a symbol of the growing relations between the UK and Uzbekistan.'

Members of the British community, representatives from the MFA and journalists attended the ceremony. As did friends of the Embassy who were in Uzbekistan at the time of HRH's visit.