King laments the 'heartbreaking' casualties in the Middle East

 King laments the 'heartbreaking' casualties in the Middle East

In light of the "international turmoil" in Israel and Gaza, the King has made a passionate case for religious tolerance and respect.

He mentioned the "heartbreaking loss of life" in a speech he gave at Mansion House in the City of London.

The King has always favored fostering understanding among religious groups, referring to the UK as a "community of communities".

But he also stressed the value of "our capacity for self-deprecation."

He specifically referred to his personal issues with broken fountain pens.

The King extolled the virtues of humor and self-irony and urged people to inject "an invigorating dash of self-irony" into their daily lives.

Royals denounce 'barbaric' assault

Has the reign of the King been successful thus far?

The King said that this was especially pertinent to his personal situation given the "vicissitudes I have faced with frustratingly failing fountain pens this past year."

He was heard muttering, "Oh God I hate this... I can't bear this bloody thing," as he seemed to get agitated with the absence of a functional pen while signing a visitor's book in Belfast.

The King urged "civility and tolerance, with which our political life and wider national conversation depend" in his address to the lord mayor and delegates of the City of London.

He foresaw the danger of turning into a "shouting or recriminatory society" as a result of the "rancour and acrimony" of social media and its passionate fanaticism.

"Demotivating victimization"

The King has talked to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Jordan's King Abdullah II, and top rabbi Ephraim Mirvis since the Hamas assault on Israel, and there was a specific demand for tolerance amongst various religions and civilizations.

The King demanded that disagreements be "passionate but not pugnacious" and that there be a "breathing space" to enable individuals to "think and speak freely."

He said that inviting a variety of religious leaders to Buckingham Palace was one of his first official actions as King and that he intended to "rededicate my life to protecting the space for faith."

The King cautioned against degrading public institutions and the public service and the potential of "demotivating scapegoating" for those who work in them in his call for traditions of restraint and respect.

Britain has been "enriched by its reception of new citizens from each of the four corners of the globe" from the "dawn of history," he said.

The Mansion House celebration signaled the City of London's symbolic accession of a new king.

A tradition that dates back to the 14th century included giving the Pearl Sword to the ruler and having him give it back to the lord mayor.

The event is a symbolic display of mutual respect between two historical powerhouse, the government and the City of London, and the sword is in a scabbard adorned with 2,600 pearls.