Prince William has called on people to "come together and unite against extremism" in a statement in remembrance of the 2019 terrorist attack which killed 51 people in a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Taking to social media on the five-year anniversary of the "horrific event", the Prince praised the response of New Zealand's Muslim community to the attack - and issued a rallying cry going forward.
William said: "Five years on from the terrorist attack in Christchurch, my thoughts are with the families and friends of those lost, those injured and the entire Muslim community in New Zealand who responded to this horrific event with such courage and fortitude.
"When I visited Christchurch in the weeks that followed, I was struck by the unity forged by an attack which aimed to sow division.
The prince said he "was struck by the unity forged by the attack" when visiting Christchurch after the event
PA
"It is a constant reminder to me of why we must come together and unite against extremism."
The attack, which was carried out on March 15, 2019, saw Australian Brenton Tarrant commit two mass shootings at a pair of mosques in Christchurch, killing 51 and injuring 40.
Tarrant had live-streamed the attack online, and was caught by police as he was driving to a third mosque.
At the time, New Zealand's then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the attack - the deadliest in the country's modern history - was one of New Zealand's "darkest days".
MORE ON PRINCE WILLIAM:
- Prince William will be 'under the microscope' following statement on Israel, claims commentator
- William and Harry’s latest show of division ‘unutterably sad’ royal expert claims - ‘It’s a mercy Diana is not seeing it'
- Prince William pays tribute to ‘compassionate’ mother Diana in touching speech before Harry’s appearance
Prince William has made statements calling for peace before
GETTYThe UN has since designated March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
William's remarks follow a statement in February in which he said he would "want to see an end to the fighting" in the Middle East - which drew some criticism, as the Royal Family are meant to remain apolitical.
But his statement was "welcomed" by the British Government and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A spokesperson for the PM said his message was "is consistent with the Government position and we welcome that intervention. It is important that we speak [with] one voice as a nation".
The prince’s statement in full read: "I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. Too many have been killed.
"I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released.
"Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home.
"Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that."
