King Charles and Queen Camilla have expressed their shock and sorrow after the tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria, on Tuesday. The attack, carried out by a 21-year-old Austrian man, claimed the lives of eight pupils and an adult, while several others were injured. The gunman later took his own life, and local media later reported that a tenth victim succumbed to injuries.
In a joint statement shared on Instagram, the royal couple wrote, “My wife and I were deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the appallingly tragic events at the Dreierschutzengasse school in Graz. Schools should be places of sanctuary and learning, which makes this horrific attack on students and staff all the more dreadful.”
They continued, “Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those affected by this terrible loss of life and injury. We send our deepest sympathy to all Austrians at this profoundly distressing time.”
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker announced three days of national mourning, with the Austrian flag lowered to half-mast on all government buildings. A national minute of mourning was also held on Wednesday at 10 am. In Graz, locals lit candles in tribute, and President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed his deep grief, stating, “These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their way.”
King Charles is set to make an appearance at his annual birthday parade on Saturday, though he will be riding in the carriage procession instead of on horseback for the second consecutive year. According to The Times, this may signal the monarch’s decision to permanently retire from horseback riding, a tradition he followed as sovereign for the first time in 2023.
