King urged to break royal silence on riots and racism

The King has been criticised for not issuing a public statement in response to the riots that have gripped the country.
Although Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales expressed their condolences after the Southport attack, the Palace has yet to comment on the unrest.
It is understood that the King has asked for daily updates on the evolving situation and is engaging privately with issues concerning community cohesion and interfaith dialogue.
Charles and his aides are examining and reviewing the situation nationally and are talking to the government to ensure the Palace is kept abreast of developments.
Any statement or visit from a member of the royal family to the affected areas is only likely to happen on the advice of the government, as was the case in the 2011 riots when the late Queen did not issue a public statement. However, the continued silence from the Palace has drawn criticism.
Kate Williams, the historian, said that she believed the King ought to address the nation in response to the riots and that “something ought to be said on behalf of the royal family”.
Speaking to Times Radio, the professor of public engagement with history at the University of Reading said: “This would be a moment for the King to talk about multiculturalism, the Commonwealth, people coming together and I think that if I were advising him I would suggest making that statement sooner [rather] than later.”
Williams continued: “We are in crisis times… this is an outbreak of violence that’s getting worse, it’s not abating. And we are seeing that people are terrified. There are cities tonight that are going to be gripped by this racist violence, by this anti-Islamic violence. It’s just terrible and I think this is the moment where the monarchy does need to come out and say something.”
Williams suggested that even if the King felt unwell as a result of his cancer treatment, he could nevertheless offer a written statement.
She added: “I do think that something should be said on behalf of the royal family, expressing sympathy with those who have lost their livelihoods, those who are living in fear. Do we need to get to the point where we’ve got people dying? Because I think that people do look to the monarchy and they do want to know what the monarchy thinks.”
The King, who is in Scotland, sent his condolences within hours of the “truly appalling attack” in Southport last week, and a message that read: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport.”
It was followed by a message on social media from William and Kate, saying: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.”
Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders have been united and outspoken in their condemnation of the “hatred and thuggery” shown during the riots.
The Archbishop of Canterbury condemned the violence in the strongest terms, saying that illegal demonstrators “defile the flag they wrap themselves in”.
The King visited Helmsdale, Scotland, on Wednesday to mark the centenary of a war memorial and the 150th anniversary of the town’s railway line. Such events are considered to be part of the public reassurance provided by the royal family during strained times.
Any decision for a royal visit to Southport or areas affected by the violence would be considered only if the visit did not create an added burden on the police at a time when officers may be required elsewhere.
During the summer riots of 2011, when police arrested nearly 4,000 people by early September, the late Queen did not issue a statement and members of the royal family visited areas of rioting only once the violence had abated.