The last few days have seen one of the worst turmoils amongst UK citizens as riots have been breaking out in different parts of the country. On 29July, three girls were killed in an attack in the seaside town of Southport, Northern Ireland. The event took place at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event for children as a 17-year-old barged in on the class and stabbed several people. 8 children and two adults were also hurt in the incident.
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The incident sent shockwaves through the nation and King Charles expressed grief and concern after the stabbing.
King Charles criticised for remaining silent on UK riots
What followed after the stabbing was one of the most chaotic and tense situations the UK has dealt with in a long time. Anti-immigration protests led to riots in many cities in the UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that violence was a result of ‘far-right thuggery’ and has been working with his ministers to deescalate the tension. So far, 400 people have been arrested as the government tries to deal with everyone involved.
Despite the new PM taking full charge of the riots in the UK and assuring citizens that the country will be at peace again, the Head of State has failed to make any remarks.
According to Newsweek, while King Charles has requested Starmer to keep him updated with the situation and new developments, he has not issued any statements yet. Historian Kate Williams told Radio Times that his silence has raised concerns:
This is an outbreak of violence that's getting worse, it's not abating. And we are seeing that people are terrified. There are cities tonight that are going to be gripped by this racist violence, by this anti-Islamic violence. It's just terrible and I think this is the moment where the monarchy does need to come out and say something.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told the publication that in this sensitive and political matter, the King is understood to be acting on the advice from the Prime Minister and the government. He said:
King Charles has asked to be kept informed about the riots which have been so appalling an example of racist thuggery…he is a pivotal symbol of national unity.
However, the King seems to be following his mother’s - the late Queen's - rulebook that states the Royal should never interfere in political matters, reports iNews.
In 2011, riots took place in Britain after police shot and killed a 29-year-old black man Mark Duggan. Queen Elizabeth, at that time, issued no public statement for the unrest. The royals undertook visits to the local communities affected by the riots after things had settled down. The report argues that Charles should realise that ‘the world of 2024 is very different from the world of 2011.’
Not only has King Charles and Queen Camilla failed to comment on the riots but other senior members of the Royal Family including Prince William, Kate Middleton, Princess Anne or Prince Edward, have also not spoken about them publicly. Prince Harry and Meghan seem to be following in on the royal protocol of remaining tight-lipped as well.
A rundown of the riots taking place in the UK
After the stabbing incident in Southport, false information was circulated on social media that the man behind the crime was a Muslim migrant. A day after the Southport stabbing, several people gathered near Downing Street in central London to protest immigration. Since then, there have been riots in more than 20 places across Britain, reports Reuters.
Protestors targeted migrants, Muslims, mosques, and police officers. Asian-owned businesses and shops were vandalised and looted, and a fire was set to a large garbage container outside a hotel in Rotherham because it welcomed migrants.
It was eventually revealed that the 17-year-old was a UK-born citizen named Axel Rudakubana. According to Times Radio YouTube report, it is not routine to reveal the identity of a minor involved in a crime. However, in this ‘exceptional’ circumstance the court decided to reveal the culprit’s name.
The government has vowed to go after rioters and those spreading misinformation on social media.
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Sources used:
Newsweek: King Charles' Delay in Condemning U.K. Riots Draws Criticism
I News: King Charles’s silence on the riots has been deafening
Reuters: Explainer: Why are there riots in the UK and who is behind them?
