King praises ‘compassion and resilience’ in the face of riots

The King praised Britain’s community spirit in response to the riots that have followed the Southport attack.
In telephone calls with the prime minister and leading police officers, the King said he had been “greatly encouraged” by the reaction that “countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many”, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.
Expressing his “heartfelt thanks” to the police and emergency services, Charles is understood to have given the clearest indication yet that he hopes to visit affected areas at a future date to express his concern to the public in person.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said on Friday night: “In addition to the private calls His Majesty has been making throughout the week concerning recent events — and in particular the impact they have had on affected communities — this evening the King held a phone audience with the prime minister, and additionally had a joint call with the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, chief constable of Essex.
“In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder.
“Additionally, the King shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many.”
The spokesman added: “It remains His Majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.”
Charles made a phone call at 6.30pm from his home in Birkhall, Scotland, to Sir Keir Starmer, followed by another one to Stephens.
Stephens, who met Starmer at No 10 this week, said that the decision to bring “really swift and strong” justice down on violent offenders had helped to quell the riots.
More than 740 people have been arrested and more than 300 charges have been made in relation to the disorder. Midweek riots failed to materialise as expected and were replaced with peaceful counter-demonstrations.
Stephens said: “The strong message that communities sent on Wednesday evening that they don’t tolerate hate and racism and violence is also potentially the start of a turning point in this whole thing.” He has also stressed that the police are not complacent.
While plans for the King to visit Southport or other areas affected by riots have yet to be confirmed, it is understood that a royal visit would only take place providing it did not take officers away from vital frontline policing.
Within hours of the Southport stabbings on July 29, the King issued a statement describing it as a “truly appalling attack”. He added: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport.”
It was followed by a social media post from the Prince and Princess of Wales who said: “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.”
Since then, the King has been in constant contact with the government and has asked to be kept up to date on the situation daily. However, he has not yet made a public statement about the unrest. It is understood that any intervention from the monarch would only come on the advice of government.
During the 2011 riots, when around 4,000 arrests were made, the late Queen did not speak publicly about the unrest. However, members of the royal family, including Charles, made visits to areas affected by the violence once tensions had eased.
This week, Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders have been united in their condemnation of the “hatred and thuggery” shown during the riots.
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, condemned the violence this week, saying that far-right rioters “defile the flag they wrap themselves in”.
In contrast, the King’s continued silence has drawn criticism in some quarters.
Kate Williams, professor of public engagement with history at the University of Reading, urged the King to address the nation following the violence.
She said: “This would be a moment for the King to talk about the multiculturalism, the Commonwealth, people coming together … It’s just terrible and I think this is the moment where the monarchy does need to come out and say something.”
At the time of the 2011 riots, Charles, then Prince of Wales, paid a series of visits to Tottenham in north London and other areas affected by the disorder and has supported community projects in the area.
The King has long held an interest in promoting interfaith dialogue. In October he described Britain as a “community of communities” at a speech at Mansion House in the City of London. Speaking of shared values against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East, he said: “There is far, far more that unites us than divides us.”