The King made his first public appearance since it was announced that Prince Andrew has given up his royal title, with the monarch glad of the outcome. Charles, 76, expressed his sadness as he visited Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester to show his support for the Jewish community and those affected by the attack on 2 October.
The attack took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, and saw Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, who was on bail for an alleged rape, shot dead by police as he targeted the place of worship. Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, were killed, while three others were injured.
"I can't tell you how sad I am," the King told the group, which included the synagogue's chairman Alan Levy, who helped to barricade the door, and its president Hilary Foxler. And later when he met other members of the congregation, the King commented "terrible thing to come out of the blue". A Buckingham Palace spokesman said that the King hopes that "the focus will be on the community impacted by this heinous crime rather than any other matters," as his brother Prince Andrew continues to dominate the news agenda.
In the wake of the attack, the King and Queen said they were "deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horrific attack," while also praising the "swift actions of the emergency services". As well as meeting those impacted by the attack, which included some of those who were at the synagogue that day, the King joined police officers, fire officers and ambulance staff at the Greater Manchester Police headquarters, to thank them for their response to the attack and hear about their work. "Thank God we've got you," he told them. "I'm very grateful to you."
Speaking to faith leaders about the need to find commonality between religions, Charles said he hoped to do more convene community leaders." The terrible thing is [it's] so much the thing of the ghastliness of social media. It's very hard," he said, adding that we must "deradicalise people".
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© Getty ImagesThe King looked sombre upon arrival
Charles was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker when he arrived at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, just a few metres from where Jihad Al-Shamie launched his terror attack outside the place of worship on 2 October.
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© Getty ImagesThe King and Queen shared a statement after the attack
The King made the visit to show his continued support for the Jewish community.
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© Getty ImagesThe monarch viewed floral tributes
The King spent a few minutes at an outside memorial area next to the synagogue, where flowers and messages have been left by those paying their respects.
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© Getty ImagesCharles made his first visit to Manchester since the attack
The King was pictured shaking hands with members of the Jewish community as he arrived at the synagogue on Monday.
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© Getty ImagesThe King wore a kippah inside the synagogue
The King was thanked multiple times for visiting the synagogue and showing his support to the Jewish community.
Before introducing the rest of the line-up to the King, which included Alan Levy who was one of a dozen people who helped to barricade the synagogue, the Chief Rabbi told him: "We're in the presence of heroes, every single person, they're all special."
After shaking hands with Mr Levy, who is a Chair of the Trustees of Heaton Park, he told His Majesty: "Thank you so much for your support, we so much appreciate it."
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© Getty ImagesThe King stopped to speak with the community outside the synagogue
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said afterwards: "This is the King continuing with duty and service in his longstanding mission to bring communities together particularly in times of challenge. And hopes very much that the focus will be on the community impacted by this heinous crime rather than any other matters."
