On September 23, 2025, Kate Middleton and Prince William made an emotional and unannounced visit to Southport, a small town near Liverpool, to continue offering their support to the families and schoolchildren affected by last year’s horrific knife attack. The attack, which occurred on July 29, 2024, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, claimed the lives of three young girls—Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. The tragic event left the community heartbroken, and in January 2025, Axel Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the attack.
During their visit, the Prince and Princess of Wales toured the girls’ schools and met privately with their families. The mother of one of the victims, Lauren King, gave the royal couple a deeply meaningful keepsake—a set of matching friendship bracelets engraved with “Bebe’s Hive,” the grief support charity founded in honor of her daughter, Bebe. Lauren described the moment as incredibly special, expressing her gratitude for the way Bebe’s memory has been honored, especially by the royal couple. “It meant everything,” she told GB News, reflecting on the significance of the gesture.
The bracelets, which Kate and William continued to wear throughout the day, served as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the community in Southport. Their visit also included a tour of a new playground at Churchtown Primary School, built in memory of Bebe and Alice. The playground is designed with features for both play and quiet reflection, such as a climbing frame, cycle track, and a library space. During his visit, Prince William spoke to the students and families, highlighting the symbolic importance of the playground. He called it “a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy.”
“Many lives were changed on that terrible day,” he remarked. “Bebe, Alice, and Elsie’s friends and classmates have come together to support each other and remember the girls in their own way.” He reassured the families that the young victims would never be forgotten and encouraged the students to embrace the playground as a place of joy, bravery, and kindness.
William also spoke directly to the grieving parents, praising their strength. “You are parents united in grief,” he said, acknowledging the unimaginable loss they had endured. “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 visit was not the first time the royal couple showed their support for Southport’s grieving community. After the attack, both William and Kate issued a heartfelt statement, expressing their sympathy for the families. “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through,” they said. “We send our love, thoughts, and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.” In December 2024, Princess Kate also invited the families and survivors to her Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, further showing their commitment to the town’s healing.
This visit marked a significant moment in the royal family’s ongoing efforts to support and uplift communities affected by tragedy. Through their actions, the Prince and Princess of Wales continue to exemplify compassion and dedication, offering a message of hope and solidarity in times of unimaginable grief.
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