'I can't tell you how sad I am...it's terrible'

KING MEETS SYNAGOGUE ATTACK SURVIVORS

- By Emily Ferguson Royal Editor

THE King told of his sadness as he met survivors of the synagogue attack that left two men dead.

He also praised emergency workers who responded to the horror, telling them: “Thank God we've got you.” When he was introduced to the victims and families, he said: “I can’t tell you how sad I am.”

The visit to the site of the atrocity was Charles’s first public appearance since Prince Andrew’s decision to give up his titles and honours in a bid to draw a line under the scandals engulfing him.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the King hoped “the focus will be on the community impacted by this heinous crime rather than any other matters”.

However, the spotlight is set to return to Andrew today as Virginia Giuffre’s memoir is published posthumously. He has always denied her allegations that he had sex with her when she was 17.

Charles, 76, arrived at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue shortly before 1pm and’ was greeted by Rabbi Daniel Walker.

Together they viewed the floral tributes and messages left outside the gates, with the King visibly moved.

When they went inside the monarch was welcomed by the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and senior representatives of the synagogue, who stood in front of a shrine to the victims.

Sir Ephraim told Charles: “We're in the presence of heroes, every single person, they're all special.”

Dozens of members of the congregation had gathered to see the King, who was first introduced to relatives of one of the men who died. He told them: “You have my deepest sympathy.” Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed in the attack that saw Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drive a car into a security guard.