The Prince of Wales has become the first member of the Royal Family to attend a full Jewish Orthodox synagogue service.

The thanksgiving service, in Hebrew and English, was part of Anglo-Jewish celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Israel.

The Prince, who wore a kippa skull cap, also met with leaders of the Jewish community as guest of honour at St John's Wood Synagogue in London on Wednesday evening.

Although other members of the Royal Family have attended Jewish services in the past, it was Prince Charles's first visit to a synagogue.

Warm welcome

Chief Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks welcomed the "historic visit" and praised the prince's support for religious faiths outside the Church of England.

He went on to say that Charles's presence symbolised the "warm relationship" that had existed for more than three centuries between Britain and its Jewish people.

A choir of 40 children from schools across London welcomed the Prince to the service.

Teenagers representing Zionist youth groups formed a guard of honour for the Prince as he approached a candelabra - the national emblem of Israel - for a symbolic lighting ceremony.
 

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