Princess Kate breaks silence after attending first major engagement this year
In a touching post directed at the community of Southport, Princess Kate issued a heartfelt statement following her visit.
Princess Kate has issued a heartfelt post to the community of Southport following her visit to the Merseyside town with Prince William on October 10, where they met emergency responders and bereaved families.
The visit followed July's horror attack which tragically saw three young girls killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The trip also marked the couple's first official joint public engagement since the Princess of Wales's chemotherapy treatment had come to an end, and Princess Kate's first major engagement of 2024.
On social media platform X, the Prince and Princess of Wales issued a touching message. It read: "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. W & C."
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Although Kate, 42, has attended public engagements this year, such as Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, her visit to the grieving Merseyside town marks her first community engagement since last December.
She wasn’t originally due to join Prince William in Southport on Thursday, but just ahead of his arrival Kensington Palace announced that Kate had decided to join him.
It is understood that she wanted to "show her support, empathy and compassion to the local community".
The couple privately met the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, who were all killed in the knife rampage that took place on July 29. They also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was wounded after being stabbed in the neck, back and arms.
The royal couple also joined emergency responders involved in the attack to hear about their experiences and meet health practitioners. Willam told the personnel, "you’re all heroes" as the couple spoke to fire crews, police officers and paramedics.
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. W & C pic.twitter.com/CP2DXJaqW2
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 10, 2024
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Referencing the earlier meeting with the families of those who died in the attack, the Princess said: "I can't underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day. On behalf of them, thank you."
Speaking afterwards, Chief fire officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Phil Garrigan said that Kate had been so moved by what she had heard that she went back to give the emergency responders a hug
He said: "The Princess of Wales broke off and came back into the building to give a hug to the people who responded because she could see the emotion in them and could see it was difficult for them to relay their feelings and to say how impactful events have been."
Through their Royal Foundation, William and Kate also made a donation to the National Police Wellbeing Service's fundraiser to help fast-track psychological and physical rehab for police and ambulance personnel.
William and Kate's visit follows a similar engagement held by the King in August when he also met the bereaved families and emergency workers.
