Up to 100 events are expected across the UK on Wednesday, from London to Northampton, with rioters reportedly targeting immigration centers.
The unrest, which escalated over the weekend, included widespread riots and attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers.
King Charles has requested daily updates on the situation and plans to engage privately on the matter, given his longstanding interest in community cohesion. It is also understood that royal family members will only undertake engagements that do not impose additional burdens on frontline services, due to their protection requirements and the need to avoid escalating community tensions.
On Wednesday, Charles made a low-profile visit to the Scottish town of Helmsdale ahead of his traditional Scottish break. The riots erupted following a tragic incident fueled by online misinformation, falsely claiming that the alleged attacker, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, had crossed the Channel— a claim later disproven.
In response to the Southport attack, the King stated, “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today. We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers, and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack. Charles R.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales also released a statement, saying, “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.” They added, “Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite facing the most horrific scenes, showed compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
While the King has yet to make a public statement on the ongoing riots, the monarchy typically refrains from commenting on such matters, relying on the Government to keep the public informed. However, there are ongoing discussions about the possibility of Charles issuing a new statement.
