Footage of King Charles' 'assassination attempt' resurfaces after his calm response to the incident applauded
The incident happened in 1994
A dramatic moment from King Charles‘ past has resurfaced recently, reigniting admiration for his composed reaction during what appeared to be an assassination attempt in Sydney, Australia, in 1994.
The video – obtained by the MailOnline – went viral following an attempted attack on U.S. President Donald Trump last summer.
Truth behind King Charles ‘assassination attempt’
In the clip, the then-Prince of Wales is seen standing at an event when David Kang, a 23-year-old university student, fired two blank shots from a starting pistol.
While security tackled the assailant, an unfazed Charles simply adjusted his cufflinks.
Ian Kiernan, one of the men who subdued Kang, recalled Charles’ demeanor in an interview with the LA Times at the time of the incident.
“He was as cool as a cucumber,” Kiernan said.
The incident, though shocking at first glance, turned out to be a protest rather than an actual assassination attempt.
Kang later explained that his act was intended to draw attention to the treatment of Cambodian asylum seekers in Australia.
While his actions caused a stir, the rounds fired were blanks, and no one was physically harmed.
Prince Charles is a good friend of this country and he should be treated with the respect and dignity that a good friend deserves.
At the time, then-Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating expressed his embarrassment over the incident.
“Prince Charles is a good friend of this country and he should be treated with the respect and dignity that a good friend deserves,” Keating said.
He also lauded Charles for his professionalism and poise.
Keating added: “His control in the circumstances, I think, reflected the professional attitude that he has. The important thing to record about this is that it was not an assassination attempt. It was a political demonstration.”
Kang faced potential prison time for the act but was ultimately sentenced to 500 hours of community service for threatening unlawful violence.
The incident also led to heightened security measures for future royal visits. At the time reports claimed that Buckingham Palace had requested minimal security between Charles and the Australian public to maintain accessibility.
Charles and Donald Trump
Last year, King Charles reached out to Donald Trump following the attempted assassination on the U.S. president in the summer.
In a private message, Charles condemned the ongoing gun violence in the United States and extended his well-wishes to those affected.
Trump suffered a minor ear injury during the attack. He later expressed gratitude for the support and credited God with saving his life.
Writing on social media at the time, he called for unity.
He said: “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.”
The attack on Trump left two people dead, including the shooter, and two others critically injured.
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