Princess Kate meets families of Southport stabbing victims in first engagement since cancer treatment

10 October 2024, 15:51 | Updated: 10 October 2024, 16:17

The Princess of Wales laughs during a visit to Southport Community Centre
The Princess of Wales laughs during a visit to Southport Community Centre. Picture: Alamy, LBC

By StephenRigley

The Princess of Wales has made a surprise visit to Southport with the Prince of Wales to meet the families of the three girls who died following the knife attack this summer.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

It is a rare public appearance by the princess - her first community visit since the end of last year, her first since her cancer diagnosis and the end of her chemotherapy.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, lost their lives in the attacks which rocked not just the town, but also the entire UK.

The Princess made the appearance alongside Prince William in their first public outing together since she finished cancer treatment.

The Royal couple met with fire, ambulance, air ambulance and police services at the Southport Community Centre.

Prince and Princess of Wales in Southport
Prince and Princess of Wales in Southport. Picture: Alamy

Referencing the earlier meeting with the families of those who died in the attack, the Princess of Wales said: "I can't underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day.

"On behalf of them, thank you."

The Prince of Wales told the personnel: "You're all heroes. Please make sure you look after yourselves, please take your time, don't rush back to work."

The couple shook hands with the emergency workers after the conversation.

Kate rested a hand on William's back as she joined him to speak to a member of air ambulance crew.

Prince William and Kate Middleton chat with service workers in Southport
Prince William and Kate Middleton chat with service workers in Southport. Picture: Alamy

Lorraine Culshaw, a living well mentor based at the community centre, expressed how "lovely" it was to meet Wills and Kate.

She said: "They said they could see the way everybody came together and it was really lovely they recognised and noticed that.

"They spoke about how the interviews were and said how emotional it was."

The Southport stabbings sparked riots across the UK after a knifeman entered the Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the community centre in Southport.

The suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.

Kate hailed support workers as she visited Southport
Kate hailed support workers as she visited Southport. Picture: Alamy

This visit came just days after Will and Kate met with an 'inspirational' young girl battling cancer.

Kate Middleton, 42, met with sixteen-year-old photographer Liz at Windsor Castle on Wednesday alongside her husband Prince William.

Sharing a snap of Liz and her family, Princess Kate said: "A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today."A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both.

"Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. W&C"

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Rob and Lindsey Burrow a few weeks before he died

Rob Burrow's wife reveals heartbreaking moment she knew rugby league star 'couldn't go on' with MND struggle

Axel Rudakubana will be 'target number one' in prison

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's sentence won't be referred to Court of Appeal despite claims it's 'unduly lenient'

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The fire broke out at the Chiltern Firehouse

Fire engulfs celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse as 100 evacuated from luxury hotel

Trump confirms he will meet Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks'

Trump to meet with Starmer in Washington 'in the next few weeks' - as JD Vance slams Europe in fiery speech

Both Meghan and Kate shared Valentine's pictures

Harry and Meghan share sweet Valentine's photo after William and Kate also post romantic picture

Jaden Sheriff.

Man found guilty of killing ex-girlfriend's neighbour over 'blue balls', sentenced to life imprisonment

The woman was attacked by a shark

Horror as woman loses both hands after being mauled by shark as husband desperately fights it off

United States Vice-President JD Vance, second right, meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, third left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich

'Putin is a liar': Zelenskyy's warning to Trump as Ukraine's leader voices concern over 'risky' phone calls with Russia

Addenbrookes hospital, Cambridge

Children's surgeon suspended after nine operations fall 'below standards' in Cambridge

Lesley Joseph refuses to discuss Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis.

'I won't talk about her at the moment': Lesley Joseph refuses to discuss Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis

Ada Bikakci

Girl, 9, killed after being hit by London bus, as driver charged with driving while drunk or on drugs

Exclusive
A small group of secondary school pupils working on practical experiments in a chemistry lab.

Ministers should consider shortening school holidays and letting teachers work from home, union chief says

JD Vance

Free speech is 'in retreat' across Europe, claims JD Vance - as US brands it a 'bigger threat than Russia'

oxford street with shoppers

Two arrested in Oxford St 'celebrity romance scam' after victims coerced into sending £200k to 'well-known boyfriends'

What if Ukraine were the UK? Could you accept surrendering a fifth of our country to Putin after so much sacrifice?

What if Ukraine were the UK? Could you accept surrendering a fifth of our country to Putin after so much sacrifice?