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King Charles III has been receiving daily updates on the evolving unrest that has swept across the United Kingdom over the past week, CNN understands.
The recent violence was triggered by the killing of three young girls in Southport, northwest England, on July 29. In the wake of the deadly attack, the far right seized on and disseminated a flood of misinformation online -- including false claims that the attacker was an immigrant -- to encourage anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant gatherings.
As tensions have risen, the UK has been left grappling with the worst unrest in more than a decade. Anti-immigration rioters squared off with police, engaged in looting, damaged public buildings and set fire to hotels that were being used to shelter asylum-seekers.
Charles, who is currently in Scotland, immediately expressed his condolences in the aftermath of the "truly appalling" Southport attack, as did the Prince and Princess of Wales. However, he hasn't made any public remarks as the ensuing disorder has escalated and spread.
There may be a couple of reasons behind his radio silence. If the King were to weigh in, it could be interpreted as him crossing the line of impartiality and interfering in political matters when he is supposed to remain neutral. Instead, he has trusted in his government's response to the disorder, which has mobilized thousands of additional officers on the streets. Nearly 500 people have been arrested so far and convictions and sentencing have been expedited.
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It would appear Charles is taking the same approach as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, when riots and looting broke out in London in 2011.
Back then, the late Queen didn't issue a public message, either, but rather allowed her government to lead on the appropriate response. The King and his staff are carefully reviewing the national situation each day and keeping lines of communication with the government open to ensure the palace is kept informed, CNN understands.
But that doesn't mean the sovereign is watching idly from afar. Anti-migrant rhetoric has become increasingly widespread in Britain in recent years, with critics saying that trend has emboldened far-right sympathizers and contributed to scenes like those seen over the weekend. Charles has often sought to engage with issues around community cohesion and interfaith dialogue. And CNN understands that he has continued to do so privately with the issues generated by the riots.
Part of the monarch's role is to provide reassurance, stability and unity. In times of anxiety and uncertainty, it has been reassuring for many to see the royal family maintaining the status quo.
To that end, Charles has also continued carrying out engagements, most recently heading to the village of Helmsdale in the Scottish Highlands on Wednesday for the centenary of a war memorial and the 150th anniversary of a local railway line, and he made a rather animated appearance at the 2024 Mey Highland Games in Caithness on Saturday.
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There don't appear to be any plans as yet for members of the royal family to visit Southport or any of the other areas affected by the violence of recent days. But if that were to change, a visit would only be organized so long as it did not aggravate the situation further or place additional stress on frontline police.
Fears of fresh violence on Wednesday failed to materialize when, instead, thousands of anti-racism protesters gathered in locations across the country in a powerful and peaceful show of unity.
Authorities and the public alike are now hoping that moment was a turning point in the wave of public disorder. Rumors are still circulating of potential gatherings this coming weekend but officials will be hoping the continued heavy police presence and the handing down of lengthy jail terms will act as a deterrent.
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New garden in London to honor late Queen.
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A new garden to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth II's life and legacy is set to open in London's Regent's Park next year, according to the Royal Parks charity. The site is currently a disused plant nursery, but it will soon be transformed into a vibrant wildlife haven, with Elizabeth's favorite flowers on display and featuring a circular pond with an overhanging walkway. The garden will open in 2026, which would have been the late Queen's centenary year.
Andrew Scattergood, chief executive of the Royal Parks, said the two-acre garden will provide a "serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle." A disused water tower will become a viewing platform offering panoramic vistas, the charity said. Sustainability is at the heart of the garden's design, with plans to recycle concrete generated during the demolition process and reuse steel from the former nursery's greenhouses to make a pergola. "The design transforms a brownfield site into a stunning, biodiverse and climate resilient garden for the public to enjoy for many years to come," said Katharina Erne, an architect from HTA Design, the company responsible for the garden's design.
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WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh celebrates the gold medal of Britain's Team GB in the women's team sprint and the world record set during the track cycling on day 10 of the 2024 Olympic Games at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome on Monday. She's not the only British royal to have made an appearance at the Paris Games.
Princess Anne -- a former Olympian herself and currently president of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee -- has also traveled across the Channel in the past fortnight. The Princess Royal caught up with athletes and coaches at Team GB House and congratulated British gold medalists at the rowing women's quadruple sculls medal ceremony on July 31. Anne also looked delighted to head to Versailles to hand out the medals following the eventing team final on July 29.
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Now that we're firmly in the summer season, the Windsors are starting to peel off from engagements for quick breaks. But here are a few tidbits from the past couple of weeks:
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Monarch steps up efforts to go green. Charles III was a champion of environmental causes long before he ascended the throne. And, fittingly, in the first full year of his reign, the royal household introduced a slew of measures to tackle its rising carbon emissions. Work has started on refurbishing the gas-powered lanterns at Buckingham Palace so they run on electricity, while Windsor Castle has had solar panels fitted on its roof for the first time. Read more here.
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Diana letters under the hammer. Letters to a family housekeeper of the late royal went on sale recently, providing an insight into her life behind closed doors, including preparations for her wedding to the then-Prince Charles, and details of Prince Harry and Prince William's childhood relationship. Violet Collison was the head housekeeper at Park House on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Diana was born and raised. Check it out.
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Missing Henry VIII portrait spotted on X. British fine art researcher Adam Busiakiewicz was idly scrolling on X when he was stopped in his tracks by a post from somebody he follows. The post showed a gathering at a reception in Warwick's Shire Hall, where Warwickshire County Council is based. But Busiakiewicz wasn't interested in the people smiling at the camera. His focus was on the background, where he suspected a missing portrait of the Tudor monarch was hanging on the wall. Get the full story.
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"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."
– King Charles III
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In the immediate aftermath of the fatal Southport attack, the King shared his profound shock at the tragedy. Meanwhile, William and Kate spoke from their perspective 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 said, before sending their "love, thoughts and prayers" and gratitude to emergency responders.
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