William and Kate Return to Southport: A Royal Act of Support after Last Year’s Tragedy

Southport, UK — On 23 September 2025, Prince William and Princess Kate traveled to the seaside town of Southport in Merseyside to offer comfort and solidarity to a community still mourning the loss of three young girls brutally killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024. Their visit, their second to the town since the tragedy, was a deeply emotional moment for the families, schools, and the wider public who have grappled with the grief and questions that followed.

The attack, which occurred during a summer holiday workshop, claimed the lives of Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice da Silva Aguiar (9). In addition to their deaths, ten others—children and adults—were seriously injured. The assailant, Axel Rudakubana, was arrested, charged with three counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder, and has since been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 52 years.

The innocence of the girls, the shocking violence of the attack, and the aftermath of grief and uproar shook the UK. In the wake of the tragedy, the town also faced an outbreak of widespread unrest. False claims circulated on social media, wrongly accusing a Muslim asylum seeker of the attack, triggering riots and even an attempted assault on a local mosque. Authorities have condemned the disinformation and taken actions to restore calm.

During their visit on Tuesday, William and Kate met privately with the families of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice. They visited the Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School—where Elsie had been a pupil—and Churchtown Primary School, both institutions deeply affected by the loss of their students. The royal couple also toured a newly-built memorial playground, created in memory of two of the murdered girls, which stands as a place for reflection and healing for the families and school pupils alike.

In remarks delivered during the visit, Prince William paid tribute to the bravery and resilience of the bereaved parents. He said the victims “will never be forgotten,” speaking directly to the parents and expressing admiration for how they had carried forward their daughters’ memories with dignity and love. He also recognized the efforts of the local community, including staff at the schools and emergency responders, urging everyone to continue supporting one another in the face of such unimaginable loss.

Princess Kate, who recently completed her chemotherapy for cancer, joined the visit to show her compassion and solidarity. It marked one of her first significant public engagements since ending her treatment. Her presence was widely viewed as a powerful sign of empathy, and many in the community expressed their gratitude for how the royal family had sought a genuine connection rather than just a symbolic gesture.

One poignant moment of the day came when the mother of one victim gifted William and Kate handmade friendship bracelets bearing the name “Bebe.” The royal couple wore these bracelets through the rest of their engagements, a small but meaningful gesture symbolizing unity, empathy, and remembrance.

The visit also included interactions with schoolchildren, teachers, and mental health support staff, as well as emergency service personnel who responded on the day of the attack. These conversations were often heartfelt, with many expressing how the town had tried to heal—as families, friends, and neighbours have rallied together to support one another.

A public inquiry is under way to examine why the attack occurred and whether there were missed opportunities to prevent it. It has been revealed that the perpetrator had prior involvement with public services and was previously referred to a counter-radicalization program, but those warnings went unheeded. Questions about how interventions might have been improved remain a major concern for both officials and citizens of Southport.

In walking through the memorial playground, meeting with the parents, and acknowledging the ongoing pain, Prince William and Princess Kate emphasized a message of enduring support. “To everyone impacted on that day, you will never be forgotten,” William said, in words that carried the weight of many shared sorrows. The visit underscored a hope that, even amidst tragedy, collective care, remembrance, and compassion can offer solace.

Southport, once a quiet town that most outsiders knew little about, has become a symbol of tragedy, strength, and recovery. For the families who lost their daughters, the teachers who bore witness, the medical teams that rushed in to help, and a community still finding its footing, Tuesday’s visit was not just a public duty—it was a reaffirmation that they are not alone. It was a testament to the power of compassion and the need for vigilance, accountability, and love in the face of darkness.