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He was visiting the London force’s base at Scotland Yard and was briefed by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors and Commander Karen Findlay. They have been leading police operations around the capital for the past few days and for the funeral tomorrow. Home Secretary Suella Braverman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan were also there to welcome the King.
Charles was given a tour of the Metropolitan Police Service Special Operations Room.
William, Prince of Wales, also briefly visited the Lambeth HQ, where he spoke to two police officers and thanked them for their service before departing in the same car as the King.
During the visit, Charles met and spoke with several involved in the planning for Operation London Bridge, the codename for the plans put in place following the death of the Queen.
He also met members of British Transport Police, London Ambulance Service, the Army and London Fire Brigade.
While speaking to the operation planning team, who also prepare the policing efforts at football matches and protests in the capital, the King was keen to learn more about the background of Operation London Bridge.
He asked the officers: “Have you been planning for a long time, or have you just been drafted in?”
One officer responded: “Yes, your Majesty, we’ve been planning for about three years. There were teams before us.”
He replied: “And the plans are working?”
The officer said: “They are, absolutely.”
“That’s the most encouraging thing,” the King said, and began to chuckle. He also questioned the staff about crime levels during the mourning period.
Referring to his time visiting the base, the King added: “It’s nice to know where it all happens.
“I’ve been here before – this is the absolute hub, isn’t it?”
The officers replied that it was. The King then described their work as “absolutely fantastic”, adding: “Thank you.”
After the King’s visit, Mr Khan said it was “lovely” to see him be “incredibly inquisitive” with staff.
He said: “What’s remarkable about His Majesty the King is at a time when he is grieving, he is going about his business and leading from the front.
“I know from speaking to police officers from London, from across the country who are here helping us out, speaking to staff and other members of the team, how grateful they are for His Majesty to give up his time and come here.”
The visit came shortly after the King held an audience at Buckingham Palace with Britain’s defence chiefs.
He met with First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders and Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
Also in attendance in the salubrious “1884 room” at Buckingham Palace – named in honour of the year when Russian Tsar Nicholas I was first received – were the Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Gwyn Jenkins, and Commander of UK Strategic Command, General Sir James Hockenhull.
Head of the British Army Gen Sanders said: “It was an opportunity to make a promise to His
Majesty that the Army will always defend his realm, and that he can rely on us to do so.”
Buckingham Palace said that five prime ministers also held audiences with the King yesterday afternoon.
They were Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Australia’s leader Anthony Albanese, the Bahamas’ PM Philip Davis, the premier of Jamaica Andrew Holness, and Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
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