King Charles hailed for following late Queen's example: 'It's what his mother would have done!'

The monarch's appearance at the event comes against the backdrop of the Hamas-Israel conflict.

During his speech, King Charles did not directly mention the conflict but stressed that tolerance and civility were among the virtues that Britain could draw on.

The King said: "This well carries the politeness and respect we owe to one another; our willingness to put others first and treat them as we would wish them to treat us.

"To listen to their views and, if we do not agree, to remind ourselves to engage in a way which is passionate, but not pugnacious.

"This includes the practice of our religious faiths, in freedom and mutual understanding."

He added: "Such understanding, both at home and overseas, is never more vital than at times of international turmoil and heartbreaking loss of life."

It was King Charles's first visit to the City of London since he became monarch.

Commentator Carole Malone hailed the way the King conducted himself throughout his speech and compared his approach to that of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Malone told GB News: "It was the way he said it. It was what his mother would have done.

"He is trying to keep calm."

She added: "He was really measured."

The King also highlighted the importance of cooperation between communities.

He said: "The instinct to cooperate wherever and whenever possible is deep within us.

"Even in the most fractious times – when disagreements are polished, paraded and asserted – there is in our land a kind of muscle memory that it does not have to be like this; that the temptation to turn ourselves into a shouting or recriminatory society must be resisted, or at least heavily mitigated whenever possible, especially in the digital sphere, where civilised debate too often gives way to rancour and acrimony."

Last week, King Charles issued a statement regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, four days after the fighting began.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson has stated: "This is a situation His Majesty is extremely concerned about, and he has asked to be kept actively updated.

"His thoughts and prayers are with all of those suffering, particularly those who have lost loved ones, but also those actively involved.

"His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel."