Prince William and Princess Kate returned to Southport today to show their ongoing support to the community after three girls were killed in the town during a dance class in 2024. The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, carried out a number of engagements on Tuesday, including visiting the schools attended by the three victims, Bebe King, six, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
During their engagement today, William and Kate were both seen wearing friendship bracelets on their wrists. Lauren King, Bebe’s mother, gave the bracelets to the couple, and they had Bebe’s name on them.
William and Kate both wore their bracelets proudly throughout their visit today. They visited a new commemorative playground and spoke to people in the community about the impact of the attacks and how people are coping, including chatting with Jenni and David, Elsie’s parents.
In a speech at the new playground today, William made a moving message to the parents of the three young victims. He said: “To Alex and Sergio, Lauren and Ben, Jenni and David – you are parents united in grief.
“You have faced such horror – but from that you move forward with grace and fortitude – creating the most remarkable legacies for your girls. We will always be here to support you.”
This is not the first time the prince and princess have visited Southport, with the couple having also visited last October, just months after the horrific attack at the Taylor-Swift themed dance class.
During this first visit to the town last year, the couple met with the bereaved families in private, as well as with the dance teacher who was injured in the attack.