The Prince and Princess of Wales brought comfort and solidarity to Southport this week, where they met families and schoolchildren still mourning the deaths of three girls in last summer’s horrific attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Their visit began with a private meeting with the parents of the victims, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, six-year-old Bebe King, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguilar.
During the gathering, Bebe’s mother, Lauren King, presented William and Kate with white-beaded friendship bracelets featuring her daughter’s name.
The royal couple wore the bracelets throughout the rest of their engagements in a visible and touching show of support.
Smiling as she met the children, Kate praised their efforts to support others in the community. “I’m very impressed with all of you and all the hard work you’re doing,” she told them. “What a fantastic thing to learn to raise money to help other people. Keep up your hard work.”
The couple also met with headteacher Adrian Antell and infant school headteacher Jennifer Sephton, who described how the school had helped pupils and staff cope in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Later in the day, William and Kate visited a new playground built in memory of Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguilar.
The project was funded by donations raised at Churchtown Primary School, with additional contributions shared among local charities and causes connected to the three victims.
The couple also spent 20 minutes in a private, emotional meeting with Jenni and David Stancombe, Elsie’s parents, who introduced them to teachers and classroom assistants who had known their daughter well.
Kate was presented with a bouquet of pink and white flowers crafted by the same florist who had designed Elsie’s funeral wreath.
Throughout the visit, the bracelets gifted by Lauren King remained visible reminders of the personal grief that continues to touch the community.
By wearing them so openly, William and Kate signaled not just royal duty but a personal connection with the families navigating unimaginable loss.
