The Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to Southport today in her first official public engagement since she finished her chemotherapy treatment.
Catherine was joined by William, the Prince of Wales, as they joined bereaved families of the three young girls who were tragically killed in a knife attack at the Hart Space in Southport in July.
In a statement, the royal couple said: “We continue to stand with everyone in Southport.
“Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.
“You will remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “Following the tragedy that took place on Monday 29th July, it was an honour and a privilege to welcome the Prince and Princess of Wales to Southport this afternoon to meet with the community.
“Our thoughts are and will remain with those affected.”
Royal sources say Kate decided to join Prince William to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.
The royal couple spent 90 minutes talking to the families of the three children – and later passed on the families’ thanks to emergency responders, in a meeting in Southport Community Centre.
Catherine told the emergency workers they had supported families through their “darkest times” – and she said: “On behalf of them, thank you.”
Catherine is believed to have hugged some of the emergency workers, with fire chief Phil Garrigan saying “she could see the emotion in them”.
The royal visit to Southport had been planned as a low key event, to allow time to be spent in private with families of the three children who died and with one of the dance teachers who was present during the attack.
Local media in Southport were not present at the event.
Catherine was a surprise addition as she made one of only a handful of public appearances this year, since revealing her cancer diagnosis.
The prince and princess heard about efforts to bring the community together after the knife attack, and the devastating riot that took place in Southport just 24 hours after the tragedy.
Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, were killed on 29th July 2024 in the attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance and yoga event.
Ten other people – eight of whom were children – were injured in the stabbings.
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