Prince Charles has visited Finsbury Park in a show of solidarity with the Muslim community there who were targeted in a terrorist attack earlier this week.
Amongst the faith leaders and community members The Prince of Wales met yesterday was a survivor of Monday’s attack. A concerned Prince asked the man: “Are you sure you should be here?”
This was clearly an important visit and demonstration of support for the Finsbury Park mosque leaders and community, following the act of terror. In total 10 people were injured and one person died at the scene after a van was driven into a group of people leaving the mosque in the early hours of Monday morning, following Ramadan prayers.
“Her Majesty’s thoughts and prayers are with you all.” – HRH delivers a message from The Queen to members of the community in Finsbury Park. pic.twitter.com/9n2AudeMMc
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) June 21, 2017
Four patients are still receiving care, two of whom remain in critical care.
During his visit Charles also said how “deeply impressed” he was by imam Mohammed Mahmoud, who shielded the terror suspect from reprisal attack until the police arrived at the scene.
“Thank goodness we have wonderful leaders” he went on to say.
The Prince had earlier accompanied The Queen to The State Opening of Parliament, replacing Prince Philip who has been taken ill. He also went on to attend Royal Ascot riding with The Queen and his wife, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall in the Royal carriage procession.
As he sat with faith leaders, the heir to the throne told them, “I did particularly want to bring a message from The Queen.”
“She has specifically asked me to tell you how shocked she was by what happened, particularly as the victims were worshippers who had been attending Ramadan prayers – and Her Majesty’s thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“And if I may say so, I can only but join my particular thoughts and prayers to Her Majesty’s on this occasion, and to say that for many years I have taken a great interest in the Muslim community in this country.”
Charles said he remembered with “great fondness” his visit to Finsbury Park mosque 30 years ago.
In 2008 Prince Charles announced that on his accession to the throne he wishes to become Defender of Faith to reflect Britain’s multi-cultural society.
The change would mean the Monarch as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, would no longer be known as Defender of the Faith, but as Defender of Faith more generally; he hopes that he can help unite the different beliefs of the country when he becomes King. The change would, however, require Parliament to amend the 1953 Royal Titles Act.
The Prince of Wales visit follows visits by both The Queen and Prince William to the victims the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, Her Majesty’s surprise visit to Manchester bombing victims in hospital, and The Duchess of Cambridge’s time at King’s College Hospital, meeting those involved in the London Bridge attack.
47-year-old Darren Osborne from Cardiff is still being questioned by police following his arrest on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism, including murder and attempted murder.