A Buckingham Palace official said King Charles appealed for mutual respect and understanding amid racial riots targeting Muslims and migrants in the UK, his first involvement since last week.
The king commended police and emergency services for restoring calm and community organisations for fighting “the aggression and criminality from a few,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson added, “It remains His Majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation,” after Charles spoke by phone with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and police chiefs.
Since his coronation, the Princes Trust, which Charles founded in the 1970s, has helped a million young people find jobs or develop community initiatives, even in riot-stricken areas.
This weekend, thousands of trained police personnel will be on patrol in case unrest restarts following three days of quiet.
The riots began when internet posters mistakenly labelled the accused knife attacker of three young girls in Southport, northwest England, as an Islamist migrant.
The government may tighten social media laws.
Starmer claimed more police and speedy sentencing had stopped “far-right thugs” after days of riots against Muslims and migrant hostels.
In numerous spots, anti-racist protestors outnumbered anti-immigrant protesters for a third day.
“I work with people of different origins, and they have only been kind to me – we are all equals,” said Emilia Finch, 22, outside an asylum seeker motel in Crawley, southern England.
“There is no reason why anyone should be treated any different for their skin colour.”
Starmer described “significant sentences” given by fast-track courts as successful.
“That is a very important part of the message to anybody who is thinking about getting involved in further disorder,” he told reporters at a London police command centre.
By Friday evening, authorities had charged 302 individuals and arrested 741 others in connection with the disturbances. The incitement of racial hatred on social media resulted in the imprisonment of two individuals. The police indicated that months of arrests had been pre-planned.
The NPCC claimed more than 6,000 public order-trained officers will work throughout the weekend.
“It’s probably one of the strongest national policing responses that we’ve ever done, certainly in my career history,” said NPCC chairperson Gavin Stephens.
Police said it was unclear how many anti-migrant marches would occur but Stand Up to Racism predicted 40 counterprotests on Saturday (10).
Stephens suggested severe action and community outrage over the rioting might be “potentially the start of a turning point”.
Although there have been no warnings, the opening football matches this weekend may pose challenges. Counter-protesters have also faced charges.
After suggesting people slit the necks of “disgusting Nazi fascists” on video, Starmer’s Labour party suspended a local councillor for instigating violent disruption.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas–Symonds said Sky News the government will review social media firms’ legal obligations for inciting violence or hatred.
“We stand ready to make changes, if necessary,” he added of the October Online Safety Act, which will not take effect until next year due to consultation.