On a rainy October 20, 2025, King Charles made a poignant visit to Manchester’s Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, meeting survivors and first responders of the harrowing terror attack that shook the city just weeks earlier. The monarch’s presence, marked by humility and empathy, served as both a gesture of solidarity and a rallying call for unity in the face of adversity.
According to BBC, the King’s arrival was met with anticipation and emotion. About 150 well-wishers braved the drizzle outside the synagogue, eager to catch a glimpse of the monarch who, in a sign of respect, donned a traditional kippah. Inside, the mood was somber yet resilient, as King Charles expressed his "sadness" over the "terrible" events of October 2, when 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie launched a violent assault on the congregation during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
The attack unfolded with chilling speed. Al-Shamie drove his car into worshippers gathered outside the synagogue before attempting to storm the building, armed with a knife and wearing what appeared to be a fake suicide belt. His rampage claimed the lives of Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53. Daulby, described as a hero by those present, leapt from his seat to block the doors and prevent further carnage inside. Tragically, he is believed to have been inadvertently shot by armed police scrambling to neutralize the threat, as reported by The Guardian.
Several others were injured in the chaos, including Yoni Finlay, 39, who was also struck by police gunfire, and Bernard Agyemang, a professional security guard seriously hurt when Al-Shamie drove into him. Both men were present to meet the King during his visit, with Agyemang brought in a wheelchair and Finlay, recently discharged from hospital, standing alongside his parents. "Three weeks ago I saw the worst of humanity, but since then you do absolutely see the best, and there’s a lot of good people out there," Finlay told BBC after meeting the King. He added, "It was quite an honour. Quite surreal but quite an honour. I think it really sends out a message. It shows a lot of support from the very top of the country. It was very special that he came. It was an honour to meet him."
The King’s schedule was carefully crafted to acknowledge the many layers of trauma and heroism that defined that fateful day. He began at a memorial outside the synagogue, pausing to reflect on the flowers and messages left by mourners. Inside, he met privately with senior congregation figures—among them Rabbi Daniel Walker, chairman Alan Levy, and president Hilary Foxler—who played crucial roles in barricading the doors and leading the community through the crisis.
"I can’t tell you how sad I am," the King told the group, as quoted by The Guardian. He later described the attack as "a terrible thing to come out of the blue" when speaking with other members of the congregation. The King’s words, simple yet heartfelt, resonated with those present. Alan Levy, the synagogue’s chairman, recalled, "For the King to come and show support to our community here and also the wider Jewish community, we’ve seen how many people were outside to see the King and cheering him, was just amazing. He was so nice and so humble. He said to me ‘If I can help in a small way, to help your community, then it makes me happy’, and I said ‘you don’t realise your majesty how big it is for us and how much you’re helping us’."
The King’s visit was not limited to the synagogue. He continued to Greater Manchester Police headquarters, where he was greeted by Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson and Mayor Andy Burnham. There, he met with police, fire, and ambulance crews who responded to the incident, thanking them for their "fantastic response." As BBC reported, King Charles emphasized his gratitude to each group, reinforcing the importance of their work in the city’s darkest hours. Tom Weate, group manager for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, reflected on the day as "a challenging day from all agencies’ point of view. It’s not something you expect to come to work for."
Superintendent Kirsten Buggy, who was among the police commanders on the day, described the King’s visit as "such a privilege." She told BBC, "It has been a tough few weeks and meeting the King and listening to him take a real interest in the role we all performed, it was hugely uplifting from a morale point of view." Chief Constable Watson echoed the sentiment, calling it "a privilege he could witness firsthand the resilience, bravery, and strength that the people of Greater Manchester possess in the most difficult of times."
The synagogue itself had only just reopened the week prior, welcoming congregants for the festivals of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The timing of the King’s visit, his first official engagement following Prince Andrew’s relinquishment of his titles amid renewed controversy, was not lost on observers. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson clarified, as reported by The Guardian, "This is the King continuing with duty and service in his longstanding mission to bring communities together particularly in times of challenge, and hopes very much that the focus will be on the community impacted rather than any other matters."
Local residents and members of the Jewish community were visibly moved by the royal visit. Alan Rubins, who traveled from Whitefield, told BBC he "dropped everything" upon hearing of the King’s arrival. "I wanted to pay my respects the way the King is paying his respects to the Manchester Jewish community," he said. Gloria Levene described the visit as "a very big boost" for the community, while others spoke of the sense of reassurance and unity the King’s presence brought after such a traumatic event.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who accompanied the King, summarized the impact: "He was with the injured, the bereaved families, the heroic members of the community and others and he brought so much encouragement. On behalf of the nation he was able to say to the community, we care and we are together with you during this very challenging period."
In the aftermath of violence, Manchester’s Jewish community has shown remarkable fortitude. The King’s visit, marked by empathy and gratitude, offered more than just royal protocol—it was a reminder that, even in the wake of tragedy, communities can find strength in solidarity and the support of the nation’s highest office.
