King Charles meets emergency services at Greater Manchester Police HQ

King Charles continued his day of solemn engagements in Manchester with a visit to Greater Manchester Police headquarters, where he met officers who played a vital role in responding to the recent synagogue attack. 

The visit was a powerful gesture of support for the emergency services and the wider community still reeling from the tragedy.

Among those greeting the King was Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson, alongside other senior officers, as the monarch arrived to acknowledge their dedication and bravery. 

Local residents also turned out to see the King, including Alan Rubins from Whitefield, who said he “dropped everything” to pay his respects.

“I wanted to pay my respects the way the King is paying his respects to the Manchester Jewish community,” Rubins said. 

He added that it was “fantastic” to see the King cross the road, briefly breaching protocol, to join a huddle with members of the community. 

“It just shows his feeling, his heart for this community and this community will be forever grateful for his love and interest,” he said.

Earlier, King Charles had visited Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, where all three of the victims injured in the attack were present. 

Bernard Agyemang, the professional security guard who was seriously injured when the attacker drove into him, was brought in and out in a wheelchair. 

Volunteer security guard Andrew Franks, recently discharged from hospital, returned for the first time, while Yoni Finlay, who was mistakenly shot by police during the incident, also attended.

King Charles presented the community with a bottle of whisky, while they, in turn, gifted him a framed photograph of the memorial service held for his late mother, Queen Elizabeth. 

The heartfelt moment highlighted the mutual respect and deep connection between the monarch and the Manchester community.