King receiving daily updates as police braced for possible night of disorder
Following the Southport stabbings the King and Queen led tributes to the victims of the ‘truly appalling’ knife attack.
The King is understood to be engaging privately in the issues generated by the outbreak of violence across the country.
Following the Southport stabbings Charles, at his request, has been briefed on a daily basis about the evolving national situation.
The nation has seen a wave of disorder since the fatal attack, with police forces across the country understood to be preparing to respond to more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter-protests on Wednesday.
The violence was sparked by false claims about the identity of the teenager suspected of killing three young girls and injuring several others in the knife attack in Southport on July 29, and has seen shops looted and hotels housing asylum seekers attacked.
It is not known what issues the King is focusing on following the violent disturbances which have left some Muslim communities fearful following the targeting of mosques in a few areas.
But he is a long-term promoter of interfaith dialogue as a way to bring groups together and has championed community cohesion.
In periods of uncertainty the royal family maintains its familiar rhythm of official engagements as an antidote, and earlier Charles took part in a small-scale engagement marking the 150th anniversary of the Sutherland and Caithness railway line by visiting Helmsdale railway station in the Scottish Highlands.
Following the stabbing attack the King and Queen led tributes to the victims, saying: “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.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales also expressed their sympathy, 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.”
It is normally the Government’s role to take the lead in making statements and briefing the public in times of crisis but discussions about the King making another public address are being reviewed daily with the Government.
In the aftermath of the 2011 riots Charles and Camilla visited Tottenham in north London, where a landmark building was destroyed by fire, and after the current unrest has ended a member of the royal family could make a similar trip.
