Buckingham Palace confirmed that the monarch was briefed on the situation by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, as well as senior police officials including Chief Constable Gavin Stephens of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Chief Constable Ben Harrington of Essex.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson stated: “During these briefings, His Majesty received updates on the current situation and conveyed his sincere gratitude to the police and emergency services for their efforts to restore peace in areas affected by the unrest.
“The King also noted how heartened he has been by the numerous examples of community solidarity that have countered the violence and criminality perpetrated by a few with the compassion and resilience of many.”
The King hopes that the shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to unite and strengthen the nation. He is considering a visit in the future to offer direct support, provided it does not impose an additional burden on police services.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Charles has been receiving daily updates on the situation following the riots that began over the weekend in response to the stabbing deaths of three young girls in Southport.
The riots were fueled by online misinformation claiming that the alleged attacker, later identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, had fled the country, which was later proven false.
On Wednesday, counter-demonstrations across the country, particularly in areas such as Walthamstow and Brighton, far outnumbered the rioters.
Following the Southport attack, the King and Queen consort issued a statement: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked by the utterly horrific incident in Southport today. We extend our deepest condolences, prayers, and sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have tragically lost their lives and to all those affected by this appalling attack.”
The King has not yet issued a public statement regarding the ongoing riots, as the monarchy typically refrains from commenting on such matters, leaving the Government to provide public updates.
