King Charles has made his first official engagement since Prince Andrew relinquished his royal titles amid intense public scrutiny. The monarch visited a Manchester synagogue that was targeted in a terror attack to demonstrate his support for the Jewish community.
Charles was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker when he arrived at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, north Manchester. The visit took place just metres from where Jihad Al-Shamie launched his terror attack on October 2nd.
Terror attack details
The attack unfolded on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, whilst many worshippers were inside the synagogue. Adrian Daulby (53) leapt from his seat to block the synagogue doors as knife-wielding Al-Shamie (35) attempted to storm the building to attack worshippers inside.
Melvin Cravitz (66) was killed along with Daulby during the assault. Daulby is believed to have been inadvertently shot dead by armed police as they scrambled to stop Al-Shamie, who had driven his car at worshippers outside before attempting to enter the synagogue wearing a fake suicide belt.
Andrew's controversial decision
The King's synagogue visit comes after Andrew gave up his dukedom and other honours on Friday following years of controversy. This decision preceded the publication of Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoirs, which contain allegations that Andrew sexually abused her.
Andrew vehemently denies the allegations and also faces the prospect of a Metropolitan Police investigation. Newspaper claims suggest 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.
