Charles’ heartbreak: King meets with kids who survived stabbings, health update revealed
King Charles has shared an update on his cancer battle as he met with children who survived the horrific Southport stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
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King Charles has met with children who survived last month’s horrific Southport stabbings in Britain, appearing emotional as he visited a sea of tributes to the three children who died in the shocking attack.
The 75-year-old monarch left the Royal Family’s traditional Balmoral holiday to express continued support to the town after the tragic deaths of three girls attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class and riots that followed.
Bebe King, six, was killed along with Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar during a July 29 attack that left Britain in mourning.
Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured in the stabbings.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, has been charged with three murders and 10 counts of attempted murder.
On arrival at Southport town hall, the King was greeted by local dignitaries before viewing a large makeshift memorial dedicated to the victims, gesturing in appreciation at the scale of it.
According to The Sun, one member of the public gave him three cheers and another shouted “thank you for coming” as he greeted the crowds.
The King affectionately patted one young girl on the shoulder as he shook hands with many of the hundreds gathered to see him.
He told one woman: “Look at all the flowers”, telling onlookers he hoped they hadn’t been “waiting too long”.
The colourful display of flowers, plants and toys that have been left outside Southport’s town hall have been maintained in the three weeks since the attacks.
The soft bears and dolls have been regularly collected by local volunteers and redistributed.
The King was then shown inside to meet the children and adults who witnessed last month’s attack as well as the family liaison officers who have been supporting those affected.
He also held a private meeting with some of the surviving children who were present at the Hart Space Community Centre, and their families.
The King spent around half an hour with the survivors and their families before signing a book of condolence that was opened shortly after the attack.
In it, he used his own fountain pen to write his name and the date, adding “In deepest sympathy.”
He was then introduced to several local volunteers and business owners who have dedicated time and resources to the community.
Linsey Hislop, 43, asked him about his health and how he was feeling after undertaking his cancer treatment.
He said: “I’m not too bad.”
They included several people who have been maintaining the floral tributes, trimming, arranging and watering the flowers and collecting up the soft toys in the evenings and when it rains.
Jenna and Anthony Johnson, a brother and sister who run Treviso Ice Cream, were also introduced to the King.
They handed out free ice creams to residents living in the Sussex Road area near the mosque that was targeted in the riots.
Mr Johnson said afterwards: “It was nice for the children whose homes had been destroyed and they didn’t know why.
“It brought people out to chat together, creating a space where there was no fear. One little girl said she hadn’t left her house but came out to get an ice cream.”
The King asked if their ice cream was Italian.
Faye Priestley, an account manager for Travis Perkins, organised donations of building supplies to those whose homes were damaged in the riots and also helped to mend the fence at the mosque.
She gave the King a Travis Perkins cap, prompting him to chuckle and say: “You get these sales people everywhere.”
Ms Priestley then gave him her business card, causing more laughter as the King said: “They should be very proud of you.”
A family member of six-year-old victim Bebe King told GB News she was “incredibly touched” by the King’s visit.
Inside Southport Community Fire Station, the King also met local fire, police and ambulance heroes as well as local religious leaders.
The King also did a walkabout, shaking hands with the many members of the public who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of him and thank him for visiting.
One little boy, Max, eight, gave him a small red silk heart he had made himself, prompting the King to gently pat his head in thanks.
The monarch was also given some pink hearts crocheted by a woman called June who asked him to “give them to Kate and Charlotte”.
“I will,” he promised.
The crowd clapped and cheered as the King slowly made his way along the barriers, accepting small gifts as many locals told him how much they appreciated his visit.
“Thank you for breaking your holiday, Sir,” one woman said.
“Thank you so much for coming, it means an awful lot,” said another.
Tomorrow Charles will meet the families who were bereaved by the attack in London.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have said they are “profoundly shocked” in a statement they released following a knife attack last month.
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