Kate Middleton and Prince William made a surprise appearance in Southport, England, on September 23.
The royal couple made the poignant visit to honor the three children who were victims of the July 2024 knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The attack, carried out by 17-year-old Alex Rudakubana, claimed the lives of 9-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and 6-year-old Bebe King. Eight other girls, aged 7 to 13, were injured, along with teacher Leanne Lucas and local businessman John Hayes, who intervened during the attack.
According to BBC, William and Kate met with teachers at Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, where Elsie, one of the victims, was a student. They also held a private meeting with her family before being shown a new playground built as a memorial for the victims.
“Many lives were changed on that terrible day—including countless members of this school community,” William said in his speech at the playground opening. “Bebe, Alice and Elsie’s friends and classmates have come together to support each other and remember the girls in their own way.”
William then turned his attention to the victim’s parent’s saying, “You are parents united in grief. 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. To everyone impacted on that day you will never be forgotten. Enjoy this playground. Be brave, be joyful and be kind.”
The Princess of Wales’ outfit also appeared to pay sweet homage to the late Princess Diana. Kate wore a pink pussy-bow blouse paired with chic grey slacks and a long grey peacoat. Diana famously wore pussy-bow blouses frequently, and even wore a white pussy-bow with a bold blue suit for her engagement photographs with Prince Charles in 1981.
The late Princess of Wales would later revisit the stunning look for several public engagements, including the 1985 Trooping the Colour parade.
Shortly after the attack last year, William and Kate—who are parents of three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, shared a statement. “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.”
“We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack,” the pair continued.
