The King has called on the nation to remember the ‘extraordinary courage and compassion’ in the face of the horrors of the July 7 bombings two decades on from the terror attack that rocked Britain.
In a message to mark the 20th anniversary of the atrocity, Charles said his ‘heartfelt thoughts and special prayers’ were with those who lives were ‘forever changed on that terrible summer’s day’.
During his emotional rallying cry, the monarch heralded the response to the 2005 bombings which showed ‘the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst’.
A terrifying series of co-ordinated explosions hit three London Underground trains and a double-decker bus during the morning rush hour on July 7 2005, killing 52 people and injuring 700 others.
The King said while those murdered by such ‘senseless acts of evil’ would be remembered, so too would ‘the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day’.
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.’
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer said ‘those who tried to divide us failed’ adding ‘we stood together then, and we stand together now’.
The Prime Minister and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am on Monday, to coincide with the moment the first bomb went off.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, joined the delegation marking the anniversary at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on Monday
Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, arrives to attend a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among officials to join the memorial event on Monday
It comes as the nation marked the 20th anniversary of the terror atrocity today (pictured is the Number 30 bus which was destroyed by a suicide bomber)
Officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D’Orsi also laid floral tributes.
The King has asked for the country to reaffirm its commitment to building a society of all faiths and backgrounds, standing against those who seek to divide us.
In his message to the nation, he added: ‘Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, my heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer’s day.
‘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.
‘We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass.
‘In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day.’
Other members of the royal family are to join services and memorials to mark the anniversary.
On behalf of the King, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended the National Service of Commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral this morning.
The King has led tributes today honouring those killed during the July 7 attacks in 2005
On July 7 2005, four suicide bombers struck the capital’s transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was among those in attendance at the memorial event
Former prime minister Theresa May also joined this morning’s commemoration. Baroness May was wearing a white dress and navy-coloured coat
The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity.
He said: ‘While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination.
‘It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal.
‘As we remember those we lost, let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.’
The commemoration, organised by the Mayor of London, is for those directly affected by the bombings, including survivors, grieving families and first responders.
Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park in a separate service earlier on Monday morning.
Injured commuter Davinia Turrell, 24, a Spanish woman living in London during the July7 bombings in 2005, is helped away with a dressings on her facial injuries by part-time fireman Paul Dadge, 28, a project manager from Cannock, Staffordshire
Pictured is the aftermath of the suicide bomb, which ripped a hole in the side of this train when it detonated at Aldgate Tube station on July 7, 2005
The Prime Minister left a handwritten note atop an arrangement of white roses, which read: ‘Our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and to the survivors of 7/7.
Paying tribute, the PM added: ‘Today the whole country will unite to remember the lives lost in the 7/7 attacks, and all those whose lives were changed forever.
‘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.
‘Those who tried to divide us failed. 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.’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘Twenty years have passed since 7/7 but the passage of time makes what happened that day no less shocking. It was an appalling attack on our capital city and on democracy itself.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper appeared solemn as she arrived at the ceremony in London
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair (left), who was PM when the 2005 attacks took place, is seen leaving the commemoration service in London on Monday
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, stands outside St Paul’s Cathedral as members of the Metropolitan Police salute
‘As we come together to mark this anniversary, my thoughts remain with the victims, survivors and all who loved them. Amid the horror of that day, we saw the best of people, our emergency services, first responders and ordinary Londoners who bravely acted to help one another. Their courage continues to inspire us.
‘We will always confront the threats facing this country to keep the public safe and preserve our way of life.’
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: ‘Today, we stand with those who carry the pain of that day, the families, friends and colleagues of those who never came home.
‘We will remember them always.’
The atrocity was carried out by four Islamist extremists, who were all killed in the blasts.
The bombers – Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, and 18-year-old Hasib Hussain – had left Leeds, West Yorkshire, in a rented car bound for Luton, Bedfordshire.
There they met their fourth accomplice, 19-year-old Germaine Lindsay, before heading to the capital by train.
The group, carrying their homemade bombs in large rucksacks, were chillingly caught on CCTV camera as they separated on London’s transport network.
Three of them – Khan, Tanweer and Lindsay – blew themselves up on packed commuter trains in Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Squares stations shortly after 8.50am.
Mohammad Sidique Kha, one of the July 7 suicide bombers, is pictured in a video grab taken from the pan-Arab television TV channel Al Jazeera and aired on September 1 2005
Pictured is the devastation on the platform at Russell Square CCTV screen grabs of the aftermath of the 7/7 terror bombings
The fourth terrorist, Hussain, blew himself up almost an hour later on a bus in Tavistock Square.
The carnage of the attack was unimaginable, those who survived said.
The blast of the bombs ripped through the trains, blowing huge holes in them.
Inside the carriages it was a bloodbath. Commuters, who suffered horrific wounds, were dead on the floor – many having lost limbs.
Those who survived had been blown out onto the tracks, some having lost limbs – while others were left with bone fragments stuck in them from other victims.
On the bus, the blast ripped off the vehicles roof and killed 14 people – many of whom were trying to escape the carnage of the earlier blasts.
Two weeks later, on July 21, London once again found itself under siege as another wave of terrorists sought to bring death and destruction to the capital.
Ramzi Mohammed, Yassin Omar and Muktar Said Ibrahim attempted to carry out a second wave of bombings. But their devices failed.
The trio were later caught and jailed for life for their botched terror plot.
