King Charles has made his first official appearance since Prince Andrew relinquished his titles amid intense public scrutiny. The monarch visited a Manchester synagogue that was targeted in a terror attack to show support for the Jewish community.
Charles arrived at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, just metres from where Jihad Al-Shamie launched his terror attack on October 2nd. Rabbi Daniel Walker greeted the King at the synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester.
Terror attack on holiest day
The attack unfolded on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, while many worshippers were inside the synagogue. Adrian Daulby (53) leapt from his seat to block the doors as knife-wielding Al-Shamie (35) tried to storm the building.
Two men were killed during the attack - Daulby and Melvin Cravitz (66). Daulby is believed to have been inadvertently shot dead by armed police as they responded to stop Al-Shamie, who had driven his car at worshippers outside before attacking others with a knife whilst wearing a fake suicide belt.
Andrew's controversial decision
The King's visit comes after Andrew attempted to draw a line under years of controversy by giving up his dukedom and other honours on Friday. This decision preceded the publication of Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoirs, which contain allegations that Andrew sexually abused her.
The prince vehemently denies the allegations. Andrew also faces the prospect of a Metropolitan Police investigation into newspaper claims he passed Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011, asking him to investigate.
Charles spent several minutes at an outdoor memorial area beside the synagogue, where flowers and messages have been left by those paying their respects to the victims.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
