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Prince & Princess of Wales

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge lead a minute’s silence to remember victims of Christchurch shooting

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge led a minute’s silence in London on Sunday morning to remember those who were killed in the Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand on Friday.

Their Royal Highnesses observed the moment of silence during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at the St Patrick’s Day Parade.

50 people were killed in the attack at two Christchurch mosques on Friday, with dozens more seriously injured.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden, described the incident as a terrorist attack and called this one of her country’s ”darkest days”.

A man in his late twenties has been charged with murder and appeared in court briefly on Saturday. He entered no plea and will make a further court appearance next month.

Following the news of the attack, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a joint statement alongside the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

In their statement, the couples said: ‘’Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives in the devastating attack in Christchurch. We have all been fortunate to spend time in Christchurch and have felt the warm, open-hearted and generous spirit that is core to its remarkable people.

No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship. This senseless attack is an affront to the people of Christchurch and New Zealand, and the broader Muslim community. It is a horrifying assault on a way of life that embodies decency, community, and friendship.

We know that from this devastation and deep mourning, the people of New Zealand will unite to show that such evil can never defeat compassion and tolerance.

We send our thoughts and prayers to everyone in New Zealand today.

Kia Kaha.’’

The words they have used to sign their statement, Kia Kaha, are Maori and mean ‘’stay strong’’.