Kate Middleton joins William to meet families of Southport stabbing victims

The Princess of Wales delivered hugs and a heartfelt “thank you” to the emergency workers called to the fatal Southport stabbings after meeting the children’s bereaved families.

Kate and William spent 90 minutes chatting privately with the group after making an unannounced visit to Southport – their first joint official outing since the princess’ cancer treatment ended in the summer.

At an undisclosed location, the couple privately met the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine – all fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in Southport, and the children’s dance teacher.

After spending 30 minutes with each of the families, they walked the short distance to Southport Community Centre where they joined emergency responders involved in the incident to hear about their experiences, and meet health practitioners supporting the “blue light” community in the town.

Kate and William sat next to each other on a bench in the centre’s gardens for an emotional conversation with the emergency workers.

Referencing their earlier meeting with the families, Kate said: “I can’t underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day.

“On behalf of them, thank you.”

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

Away from the cameras, Kate gave some of the fire, ambulance, police and air ambulance workers invited a hug, after they struggled to express feelings.

It is understood the engagement was planned as a solo visit for William, but Kate decided to join her husband in order to show her support, empathy and compassion for the local community.

The princess has been slowly returning to a light programme of public duties following her announcement in a video four weeks ago that her course of chemotherapy had ended and her focus would be “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.

Continue reading at Manchester Evening News:
Prince William and Kate Middleton meet families of stabbing victims

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So happy to see Catherine out and about! Beautiful! Total class, elegance and dignity every time!

[jilliegirlie]

A real power couple - No airs, walking side by side, not elbowing people to get out of the way, compassionate, no dumb word salad, intelligent and the future King and Queen!

[minnyneumann]

Catherine has not been a Middleton for over 10years, that is her maiden name …

[clairehalsall]

At least they spent time with victims. Unlike Starmer. He dumped some flowers, looked genuinely terrified by the working class and ran away to a hotel to utter some platitudes and fridge magnet wisdom before fleeing to his safe, upperclass london cocoon. At least these 2 have their public image in order. Who is Labour for now? The leader claims to be Woking class, but can't define what that means. Please watch him trying to define working class in an interview. Once you've seen that, you see all his hypocrasy.

[clairehalsall]

No way his paymaster would approve... So the preening priminister would have to buy his own suits and glasses and he's far too cheap. Oh, and morally bankrupt.

[julieclonan]

Are they going to Rotherham, Telford, Oxford, Birmingham, London, Luton, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Plymouth, Cambridge, Swindon, to Visit the Grooming Gang's Survivor's, asking for Lot's of Children and Women?

[deborahwright]

Her work for the day is done A WALK ABOUT

[ettawalker]

I wish Prince Harry marry someone like Kate