Princess Catherine attends first public engagement since end of chemotherapy

London: Prince William and Princess Catherine have attended their first joint public engagement since the Princess of Wales ended chemotherapy treatment, meeting the families of three young girls murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport.

The quiet seaside town in north-west England drew a global spotlight on July 29 when the girls were stabbed to death and other children were seriously hurt in an attack on the summer holiday event. Anti-immigration riots broke out days later.

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with emergency workers at Southport Community Centre on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images

On their visit on Thursday, William and Catherine spoke privately with families of the victims, as well as to a dance teacher who was present at the time of the attack. They later met representatives from emergency services who had responded to the incident and told them how much their efforts had helped the families of the victims.

“I can’t underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day,” Catherine said. “On behalf of them, thank you.”

The Waleses sat beside each other on a bench and listened to their stories. Once the cameras left, Catherine offered a hug to responders who were struggling to express their feelings.

“You’re all heroes,” William said. “Please make sure you look after yourselves, please take your time, don’t rush back to work.”

It was the first public engagement Catherine has carried out as she slowly returns to work after her cancer treatment. The engagement in Stockport follows her first public appearance – at a church service in Balmoral – in September.

“We continue to stand with everyone in Southport,” the pair said in a statement released by their office at Kensington Palace.

“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.”

The visit echoes one made by William’s father King Charles who went to Southport in August, where he met some of the surviving children and their families.

Disinformation spread on social media in the aftermath of the July attack wrongly identified the assailant – a 17-year-old who was later charged – as an Islamist migrant and led to violent clashes between protesters and police in Southport, and an attempt to attack the town’s mosque.

Days of similar rioting followed across the country. Police and the government blamed the unrest on far-right thuggery, leading to about 1500 arrests and almost 400 people being jailed.

Reuters, AP

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