King and Queen ‘utterly shocked and horrified’ by ‘senseless attack’ in Sydney

The king said he and the queen were “deeply shocked and horrified” by the “senseless attack” on Sydney.

Charles, the Australian monarch, added that the royal couple’s “thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who were so brutally killed.”

In a personal social media post, the Prince and Princess of Wales said they were “shocked and saddened” by the stabbings, adding that their thoughts were with those affected and the “heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save the lives of others”.

It has been reported that Charles is planning to tour Australia later this year in the autumn, accompanied by Camilla.

The King’s last visit to the country was to open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

His first official visit to Australia was as his mother’s representative at Prime Minister Harold Holt’s memorial service in 1967.

Charles made a total of 16 visits to Australia, 15 of which accompanied or represented his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

As monarch of Australia, Charles is represented at the federal level by the country’s Governor-General, who is currently David Hurley.

In a statement, the king said: “My wife and I were completely shocked and horrified to learn of the tragic stabbing incident in Bondi.

“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who were so brutally killed in such a senseless attack.

“While the details of these shocking circumstances are still being worked out, our thoughts are also with those involved in the response, and we thank the first responders and emergency services for their courage.”

In a personal social media post, William and Kate wrote: “We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events in Sydney earlier today.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected, including the loved ones of those lost and the heroic emergency responders who risked their own lives to save others. W&C”

The Royal Family has a long relationship with Australia and has built close ties with its people and institutions during numerous trips to the country.

Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, visited the country in 1983 and were photographed with their baby son William.

Eleven years later, when Charles visited Sydney, he witnessed dramatic scenes when a student was tackled to the ground after firing a starting pistol as the royal stood up to deliver a speech.

Between 1954 and 2011, Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia 16 times, including a trip in 1973 when she opened the famous Sydney Opera House.