Prince William and Princess Kate have issued a message of support following a deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The incident took place near the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, where a car was driven towards members of the public before a man was stabbed. 

According to the Express UK, two people were killed, and three others remain in serious condition.

In a statement shared on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales said, “Our thoughts are with the victims and the families of the terrible attack.”

Their words came shortly after King Charles and Queen Camilla released a statement expressing their “deep shock and sadness” at the events. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this appalling incident and we greatly appreciate the swift actions of the emergency services,” the King said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned the attack, calling it “absolutely shocking.” 

Speaking from Copenhagen before returning to London to chair an emergency Cobra meeting, he confirmed additional police were being deployed to synagogues across the country. 

“We will do everything to keep our Jewish community safe,” he said.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed armed officers were deployed to the scene and that a bomb disposal unit was called after concerns the suspect may have been carrying explosives. 

As per the outlet, the suspect was later shot dead by police at 9.38am. Authorities confirmed they had declared “Plato,” the national codeword for a marauding terror attack.