King Charles' message on 20th anniversary of 7/7 London attacks: ‘Spirit of unity against those who seek to divide us'
King condemned the "senseless acts of evil" in which bombs exploded on the capital's public transport system, resulting in the deaths of 52 people and injuries to over 700 others. The bombings had displayed the significance of 'building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding', according to BBC.
The king called upon the public to draw strength from the "extraordinary courage and compassion" demonstrated in the wake of the attack.
'We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil -- and the enduring grief of their loved ones. In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day,' according to his statement in the Press Association.
He added, 'The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.'
Starmer mentioned, 'We stood together then, and we stand together now -- against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Those who tried to divide us failed. We honour the courage shown that day -- the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors, and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror.'
On July 7, 2005, four domestic Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at multiple locations across London, Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross, and Tavistock Square, leading to deaths of 52 individuals and injuries to hundreds of others. It was the worst attack on London since World War II. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called it 'darkest days' of Britain.
(With inputs from AFP and AP)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Did Emmanuel Macron go too far? Hand-kiss to Princess Kate sparks royal protocol debate
French President Emmanuel Macron began his state visit to the United Kingdom with a charming gesture that sparked debate among royal watchers. At the beginning of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit, Kate Middleton and Prince William had the diplomatic privilege of welcoming him and his wife, Brigitte, to the United Kingdom. The French president used a traditional greeting to welcome the Princess of Wales. French President Emmanuel Macron's hand-kiss with Princess Kate sparked debate about royal etiquette, as per a report. ALSO READ: Big Brother Season 27 is here — meet the wild new cast stirring up drama already Is the hand-kiss inappropriate or outdated? The gesture, while uncommon in public royal settings, is rooted in French tradition and was even used by King Charles to greet France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron. Experts say it did not violate any rules. The gesture was unquestionably endearing and distinctively French, but it did not violate any official regulations. Live Events How do royals typically greet foreign dignitaries? According to the royal family's official website, meeting royals is not subject to any rigid rules of behavior, only customary etiquette is advised, as per a report by People. "This is a small curtsy for women, and a neck bow (from the head only) for men. According to the website, some people would rather just shake hands the traditional way. Macron's tender, intimate hand kiss was reminiscent of King Charles's own hand gestures. Indeed, the same gesture was used by the monarch to greet the first lady. Receiving a kiss on the hand, particularly in public, is a little unusual for Kate. Despite being a customary sign of respect and admiration, hand-kissing is rarely seen in contemporary royal encounters. In many European courts, the custom has mostly been replaced by cheek kisses or handshakes. In the past, King Charles has also addressed the first lady of France with the affectionate gesture. Following a service honoring the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, France, in June 2024, the 76-year-old King kissed Brigitte's hand as they bid farewell. Before the formal welcome, King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed the couple to Windsor on July 8, kissing Brigitte's hand once more. As the Macrons' inward state visit from France got underway, the 43-year-old Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed them at RAF Northolt on behalf of King Charles. FAQs Did President Macron breach royal protocol by kissing Princess Kate's hand? No. While uncommon, hand-kissing is not against royal protocol; it is more about personal preference and tradition than strict rules. Has King Charles made this gesture before? Yes, King Charles has kissed Brigitte Macron's hand at previous formal greetings, including the D-Day commemoration and the most recent Windsor welcome.


New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Macron urges new era of Anglo-French unity in address to UK parliament
WINDSOR: President Emmanuel Macron argued Tuesday that France and Britain must work together to defend the post-World War II "international order", as he addressed parliament on the first day of his UK state visit. The first such visit by an EU head of state since Brexit, Macron said in a wide-ranging speech that the two countries must renew their century-old alliance to face down an array of threats. "As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, deeply committed to multilateralism, the United Kingdom and France must once again show the world that our alliance can make all the difference," he told British lawmakers, speaking in English. "Clearly, we have to work together... to protect the international order as we fought (for) it after the Second World War," Macron added. Touching on various thorny issues, from global conflicts to irregular cross-Channel migration, he insisted European countries will "never abandon Ukraine" in its war with Russia while demanding an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. Hours earlier, the French president and his wife Brigitte had received a warm, pomp-filled welcome from King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Windsor as the three-day visit got underway. They had been greeted off the presidential plane at an air base northwest of London by heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. After a 41-gun salute sounded from Windsor's Home Park and a royal carriage procession through the town, which was decked out in French Tricolores and British Union flags, the group entered its castle for lunch.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
Trump to meet Netanyahu again to push Gaza ceasefire deal
Netanyahu is in Washington until Thursday on his third visit to the US capital since Trump returned to power in January read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hands over a letter to US President Donald Trump as they meets at the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP US President Donald Trump said he will meet again with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday to push for a Gaza deal, a day after the two leaders had dinner at the White House. 'He's coming over later. We're going to be talking about, I would say, almost exclusively Gaza. We've got to get that solved,' Trump told reporters at a cabinet meeting in the White House. 'It's a tragedy, and he wants to get it solved, and I want to get it solved, and I think the other side wants to." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said he was hopeful for a deal between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, who are holding indirect talks in Qatar that he will join later this week. 'We are hopeful that by end of this week we will have an agreement that will bring us into a 60-day ceasefire,' Witkoff said at the meeting. 'Ten live hostages will be released. Nine deceased will be released.' Netanyahu is in Washington until Thursday on his third visit to the US capital since Trump returned to power in January. On Tuesday the Israeli premier was also meeting Vice President JD Vance, Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and senators on Capitol Hill.