King Charles has urged for focus on his royal engagement at the synagogue in Manchester that was attacked earlier this month.
The monarch travelled up north to see Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue today, where two Jewish men were killed in a terrorist attack on October 2.
The attack, which fell on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, saw Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby tragically lose their lives.
Jihad al Shamie, 35, drove his car into Jews who had gathered at the synagogue, and then tried to storm into the building before he was shot dead by the police.
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During today's visit, the King, 76, was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker, where he spent a few minutes at an outside memorial area to view the flowers and messages left by the public.
Several media publications noted that today's visit marked King Charles's first official engagement since Prince Andrew gave up his title, the Duke of York, on October 17.
Andrew has been engulfed in scrutiny following the emergence of email correspondence between himself and the late Jeffrey Epstein, as well as damaging sexual abuse accusations from the late Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year.
The 65-year-old has always vehemently denied the allegations and maintains that he does not remember meeting Mrs Giuffre.
King Charles urges for 'focus on royal engagement' amid Prince Andrew's scandals
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In response to today's media reports about Prince Andrew, Buckingham Palace has issued a statement.
It reads: “This is the King continuing with duty and service in his longstanding mission, to bring communities together, particularly in times of challenge and (he) hopes very much that the focus will be on the community impacted by this heinous crime rather than any other matters.”
The Metropolitan Police is currently looking into reports which allege that Prince Andrew asked an officer to help with an attempted smear campaign against Mrs Giuffre.
The prince is alleged to have asked the police officer for help just hours before a picture of himself with Mrs Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell was published in 2011.
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King Charles during his visit to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester
|PA
A claim has also been made that Prince Andrew provided Mrs Giuffre’s date of birth and US social security number to his close protection officer.
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said in response that these allegations were “deeply concerning”.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said: “We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made.”
Prince Andrew currently still holds his dukedom, as an Act of Parliament is required for its removal.
King Charles has issued a statement via Buckingham Palace
|PA
However, in a statement released on October 17, it was confirmed that Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, would cease to use their York titles.
Andrew's statement read: "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
"With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."
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