King Charles Receives Warm Welcome in Golders Green While Supporting Stabbing Victims and Britain’s Jewish Community

Today, the King expressed his personal solidarity with the Jewish community in the UK by meeting with the two victims of last month’s terror attacks.

His visit took place at Jewish Care in Golders Green, North London, under tight security measures that were only lifted once he had departed.

During his time there, the King also engaged with first responders who were instrumental in capturing the suspect following the street attack on the two Orthodox Jewish men.

Essa Suleiman, aged 45, has been charged in court with the attempted murder of three individuals, one of whom was involved in a separate incident.

In addition, Charles connected with community leaders, local charities, residents, and first responders to “reaffirm his unwavering support for the Jewish community in light of recent antisemitic attacks.”

Coincidentally, on the same day, Prince Harry penned an opinion piece addressing the “deeply troubling” surge of antisemitism in the UK.

The Duke of Sussex – who wore a Nazi uniform to a party decades ago – stressed the importance of ‘legitimate protest’, adding that he felt compelled to speak because in his view standing on the sidelines allows ‘hate and extremism to flourish unchecked’.

Writing in the New Statesman, he referenced recent ‘lethal violence’ against the Jewish community in Manchester and in London and said that ‘hatred directed at people for who they are, or what they believe, is not protest. It is prejudice’.

In Golders Green today, the King was greeted with huge cheers as he made his unannounced visit.

He spent around an hour greeting members of the local community and charity representatives in the predominantly Jewish area of the capital.

Among those he met were Michael Shine, 76, who was stabbed at a bus stop during the terror attack just a stone’s throw away on April 29, and Shloime Rand, 34, who was stabbed as he left a synagogue. 

Both men suffered serious injuries, with Mr Rand later saying it was ‘a very big miracle’ he had survived.

The King also met Yonathan Elkouby and Yitzi Lipsyc, volunteers with Jewish police force Shomrim, who were involved in the response, and representatives from Hatzola, the Jewish ambulance service that was also targeted in an antisemitic attack in the early hours of March 23 when four ambulances were set on fire.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, and Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi, were among those to greet the monarch on arrival at Jewish Care in the heart of the community.

The chief rabbi told the King they ‘appreciate it enormously’ that he had made the visit. 

‘I’m glad I came to visit,’ the King said. ‘Huge admiration.’

Outside, the King spent around 15 minutes greeting the huge crowds that had turned out to greet him, many hanging off balconies and standing on rooftops. He was showered with gifts including chocolate and flowers as hundreds tried desperately to shake his hand.

Several impromptu versions of the National Anthem rang out as others shouted ‘Long live the King’. Among the many who thanked the monarch for visiting was a lady who said: ‘Thank you so much for being here, it shows you are a good King.’

Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever seen. It’s feel good, it means the world to so many people and will give everyone such a lift after a difficult few weeks.’

Chatting to Mr Shine and his sister Doreen Friedman, the King expressed his support for the Jewish community and asked about Mr Shine’s injuries and his recovery. 

Mr Shine was full of praise for the ‘genuine warmth’ shown by the King. He said afterwards: ‘He asked me how I felt at the time and how I was looked after.

‘He was very concerned about how I am recovering. The most inspiring thing was that he didn’t let go of my hand, that was amazing. He is the King. I felt a genuine warmth and concern. He wasn’t asking me questions politely, it was out of genuine care and concern.

He said ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ It was a really special moment. It’s the simplicity of it, in the nicest possible way, his ability to interact with ordinary people really came over.’

Mr Shine added: ‘His presence here is extremely important to the Jewish community at large – it’s highly significant. We feel we have a genuine friend. For him to have made time in his busy schedule when he’s only just come back from abroad. We appreciate it more than words can say.’

At Jewish Care, the King was introduced to various local dignitaries and councillors as well as representatives from the Union of Jewish Students and Justin Cohen, news editor of the Jewish News.

Mr Cohen said afterwards that ‘nobody can bring the community together’ like the Royal Family.

‘To see people hanging off roofs and out of windows, you don’t often see that,’ he said of the enthusiastic crowds gathered outside.

Mr Cohen told the King that his grandmother had come to the UK on the Kindertransport, adding that it was ‘unfortunate’ there were so few Holocaust survivors left to tell their stories.

The King agreed. ‘We are losing real experience,’ he said. ‘People who can explain to people about the horrors.’

Charles asked the volunteers from the Jewish ambulance service if they were all ‘highly trained paramedics.’

Sir Ephraim said of the attack on their ambulances: ‘It was such an awful deed. These are all angels, amazing people.’

King Charles III arrives at Jewish Care during his visit to Golders Green in North London today

Mr Elkouby and Mr Lipsyc told the King how on April 29 they had helped apprehend the suspect in the terror attack.

‘Are you trained to disarm?’ the King asked them.

Outside, the King met Yossi Moses, the owner of a popular local bakery called Grodz, founded in 1888, and was presented with a loaf of the traditional braided Jewish bread, challah.

Among the others who met the monarch was a 100-year-old man.

‘I hope they give you a good celebration and I hope you get a card from me,’ the King told him.

Earlier today, the King met Sir Idris Elba for the second time in three days as they joined students taking part in musical theatre workshops.

The monarch went on a trip to the Other Palace Theatre in London with the Luther actor to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT).

Sir Idris, 53, used a grant from the Prince’s Trust – now the King’s Trust – to attend NYMT aged 18 before rising to become one of Britain’s most famous stars.

Today, they met students taking part in workshops at the Off West End venue, designed to give young people opportunities and experiences in musical theatre.

The youngsters from Core Education Trust schools in Birmingham participated in workshops to help their confidence and performing skills, including improvisation.

The King and Sir Idris also met some of NYMT’s most experienced young performers, who are now receiving training at drama schools or working professionally.

Charles cut a cake for the 50th anniversary of NYMT and joined a group photo with the young people before taking a seat together with Sir Idris to watch a performance.

Before heading off to Golders Green, the King met staff and supporters in the foyer to hear about their work in helping NYMT reach its 50th anniversary.

It comes after Charles and Queen Camilla also spoke with Sir Idris on Monday at a Royal Albert Hall event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust.