Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva has joined a
long list of distinguished women by becoming a Dame of the Royal Order
of Francis I. She was presented with the prestigious award by Prince Charles
and Princess Camilla de Bourbon-Two Sicilies.
The Royal Order of Francis I recognizes
those who have made an outstanding contribution in the fields of
humanitarian causes, public life, science, the arts, agriculture, and commerce.
The roots of the Order go back to the 1800s. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and her
husband Timur Tillyaev, fall into this category thanks to their work through
various charities and trusts.
The Work of Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev
For over fifteen years Lola
Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev have worked tirelessly to improve the
lives of children in need. In keeping with the Orders remit of helping
cross cooperation among religions, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva’s Karimov Foundation
has a remit of promoting Uzbek culture internationally.
To help people in need Lola
Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur Tillyaev have started several charities and
foundations. This includes:
•
The You Are Not Alone Foundation – The
bulk of the charity work is to help orphaned, and low-income families have better
lives. A strong emphasis is placed on providing medical care, and thanks to
partnerships scores of children have received life-saving surgeries. The
charity has renovated Mercy Homes (Orphanages) throughout Uzbekistan, and it
has invested in education helping to raise their aspirations.
•
The Karimov Foundation - The Karimov
Foundation started in 2016 and partnered with UNESCO to bring better education,
science, and culture to the people of Uzbekistan. This takes the form of
scholarships for young adults to go into higher education which is funded by
Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva personally. The scholarships cover all living expenses
and fund university education in some of the top universities in Europe.
Both Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur
Tillyaev have a strong belief that through the sharing of cultures breaks down
barriers and strengthens cooperation.
In 2016 Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva has started The
Harmonist, a maison de parfum. The brand has expanded rapidly and is now
found on both sides of the Atlantic. The perfume is developed using the Feng
Shui ethos of harmony and balance.
This has led to the development of several
artistic projects designed to start the conversation around water
conservation. The Droplet, a tear-shaped sculpture, has recently gone on tour
and is exhibited at various locations around the world.
Both Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva and Timur
Tillyaev continue to work through supporting children, promoting
education and culture, and through efforts to fight climate change.
Among the Order’s prominent knights and
dames are former British Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the
Governor of Makkah Province Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
former President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, former UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon, and Princess Benedikte of Denmark.