King Charles has requested to be kept "fully informed" after a boy, aged 14, was killed in a sword rampage in London today.
A 14-year-old boy died earlier today, with four others hospitalised, after a 36-year-old man attacked police and members of the public, reportedly with a Samurai-style blade in London.
A man was arrested and emergency services swarmed to the scene outside Hainault Tube station in North-East London after members of the public and police officers were attacked.
Meanwhile, videos posted by bystanders circulating online showed a man holding a sword walking around a residential street.
Police and forensic investigators in Hainault today
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A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "Following the horrific scenes in Hainault this morning, The King has asked to be kept fully informed as details of the incident become clearer.
"His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected - in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life - and he salutes the courage of the emergency services who helped contain the situation."
The police confirmed that the 36-year-old man was in custody, and was tasered and arrested at the scene just over 20 minutes after police were called.
In total, five people were injured in the attack, three members of the public, including the boy, and two police officers.
King Charles returned to royal duties today
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While the two members of the public in hospital suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the pair of officers have significant, but not life-threatening injuries and require surgery.
Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said "Everyone at the Met is keeping them [the boy's family] in their thoughts at this unimaginably difficult time".
He also said the child's family are being supported by specially trained officers.
The police said they were not looking for any other suspects in relation to the incident, but Bell did not comment on questions on whether the suspect had been arrested in the past.
King Charles has asked to be kept informed about the attack
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The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said this morning's events were "devastating" and "appalling".
He added: "It breaks my heart not only that this child has lost his life, but two members of our emergency services have risked their own safety to make sure others weren't injured."
Khan praised the efforts of the police, who he said were "well aware this was a dangerous man" but, regardless, "risked their own safety to make sure others weren't injured".