The Prince and Princess of Wales have made a return visit to Southport to show continued support for the community still grieving the loss of three young girls murdered at a dance class in July 2024.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed during the Taylor Swift-themed class.
Eight other children and two adults were seriously injured. Their killer, Axel Rudakubana, is serving a minimum sentence of 52 years.
On Tuesday, Prince William and Catherine visited Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, where Elsie had been a pupil. They spoke with teachers about how the school community has coped and the support provided to staff and children.
The Princess, dressed in a pink blouse and heels, was warmly welcomed by cheering pupils waving flags. “I’m very impressed with all of you and the hard work you’re doing,” she told them, encouraging their fundraising efforts to help others.
The royal couple also met privately with Elsie’s parents, Jenni and David Stancombe, as well as Alice’s father, Sergio Aguiar, who had joined David in running the London Marathon in their daughters’ memory.
The visit follows a similar engagement in October 2024, when Catherine first returned to public duties after chemotherapy. Then, the couple met the girls’ families, first responders, and survivors of the attack, later inviting some children to the Princess’s annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Kensington Palace said the visit reflects their “ongoing support to the community” as it continues to heal.
