King Charles makes heartfelt gesture after tragedy that killed over 50 Britons

King Charles and other senior royals wore black armbands at the "Trooping the Colour" military parade on Saturday as a mark of respect for the victims of the Air India plane crash.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday, killing at least 270 people in the worst aviation disaster in a decade.

Only one of the 242 passengers and crew on board survived, while others were killed as the plane struck a medical college's hostel as it came down.

A minute's silence was held after the king inspected the parade, which marks his official birthday.

King Charles requested the changes "as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy", a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

The King and his wife, Queen Camilla, had also issued a joint statement hours after the plane went down in India killing over 250 people including more 50 Britons.

The statement said, "My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning."

It said, "Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones."

The statement added, "I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time."