Southport families are Kate’s first stop since cancer

Back on duty after her cancer treatment, the Princess met parents of the three children stabbed in July, alongside Prince William.

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The Princess of Wales carried out her first public engagement yesterday (Thursday) since finishing her cancer treatment as she met the families of the three children killed in the Southport attack.

Kate, 42, joined the Prince of Wales to speak for an hour and a half with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. The girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in late July.

Nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, left, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, right, died after a mass stabbing in Southport, northern England. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Merseyside Police

Six-year-old Bebe King also died as a result of injuries sustained in the knife attack. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Merseyside Police

After spending 30 minutes in private with each family, Kate and William met Leanne Lucas, 35, the dance teacher who was left critically injured when she was stabbed in the neck, back and arms while trying to protect her class.

The prince and princess then walked to Southport Community Centre for a public meeting with the emergency responders on duty that day.

When the responders asked Kate how the families were coping, she said: “I can’t underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day.

“On behalf of them, thank you. They’re OK. They’re managing it differently. All the families are so different. Individually too they are managing it and processing this tragic event in very different ways but they’re getting support from families and officers.”

William, 42, said the paramedics and firefighters were “true professionals”. He added: “You’re all heroes. Please make sure you look after yourselves. Please take your time, don’t rush back to work.”

Prince William and Princess Catherine spoke to members of the emergency services in the garden at Southport Community Centre, on October 10, 2024 in Southport, England. Picture: Getty

Phil Garrigan, the chief fire officer of Merseyside, said the princess returned to the building to hug the responders “because she could see the emotion in them and could see it was difficult for them to relay their feelings”.

He added: “That shows a really caring side and is very touching for them.”

Although the princess has not returned to full public duties after her cancer treatment, she wanted to show support to the community in Southport. Picture: Getty

William was first believed to be travelling on his own to Southport but Kate joined him for a surprise appearance. It was their first joint public engagement since last December when they attended a Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

Although the princess has not returned to full public duties after her cancer treatment, it is understood that she wanted to join William in Southport to remind the families, emergency workers and local community that they had not been forgotten.

The knife attack on July 29 provoked outrage and sparked riots across the country. Axel Rudakubana, 18, was arrested and charged with three cases of murder, ten cases of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He faces a pre-trial hearing at Liverpool crown court on October 25.

The knife attack on July 29 provoked outrage and sparked riots across the country. Picture: Getty

Soon after the attack, Kate and William posted a message on their official social media accounts, saying: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through. We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack. Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most. W & C.”

As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.

We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.

Thank you also to the emergency…

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 29, 2024

The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, an independent charity, made a donation to a fundraiser for the National Police Wellbeing Service to help the psychological and physical rehabilitation of those involved in the attack and the subsequent riots. The King visited the area in August, when he spoke of his “shock” and expressed “his continued support” for those affected by the attack and the disorder. Kate’s visit came a month after she announced the end of her cancer treatment.

King Charles also visited Southport, in August. Picture: AFP

She said last month that it was a “relief” to have completed a course of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.

Kate released a three-minute video of her family enjoying days in the Norfolk countryside and said her focus was to “stay cancer-free”.

The princess said that her illness had brought her “a new perspective on everything”.

She added: “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”

The princess has already started planning this year’s Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey and hopes to join the rest of the royal family at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, November 10.

The Times