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Kate Middleton and Prince William made an unannounced visit to the community shaken by the tragedy of the mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
The Prince and Princess of Wales spent time with the bereaved, teachers and schoolchildren<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
The royal couple last visited the town, near Liverpool, in October 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Kate Middleton<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Prince William<\/a>\u00a0are continuing their support for the grieving families and schoolchildren affected by the horrific attack at a\u00a0Taylor Swift<\/a>-themed dance class.<\/p>\n On Sept. 23, the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, made an unannounced visit to spend time with kids, teachers and families in Southport, near Liverpool, to show their ongoing support for the community following the tragedy.<\/p>\n Three girls \u2014 Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9 \u2014 were killed during the knife attack in July 2024. In January 2025, Axel Rudakubana<\/a>, 18, was sentenced to life in prison<\/a> with a minimum of 52 years after admitting to his role in the deadly attack.<\/p>\n Tuesday’s visit was the latest by the couple to the area. They were last there in October 2024 when they met with bereaved families and some of the emergency responders<\/a> who were working on that tragic day.<\/p>\n On Sept. 23, the couple began their visit at Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, which Elsie Dot Stancombe attended. There, William and Kate spoke to the teachers about how the school was impacted by the attack and the support the infant and associated junior school has given to pupils, staff and the local community.<\/p>\n They then met privately with Elsie’s parents and her younger sister.<\/p>\n Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?\u00a0Sign up for our free Royals newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!<\/strong><\/p>\n When news of the tragedy first broke in July 2024, William and Kate \u2014 parents to\u00a0Prince George<\/a>, 12,\u00a0Princess Charlotte<\/a>, 10, and\u00a0Prince Louis<\/a>, 7\u00a0 \u2014 issued a\u00a0statement of sympathy<\/a>: “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.”<\/p>\n After the couple’s emotional visit last October, the couple wrote <\/a>on their social media: “We continue to stand with everyone in Southport. Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers.”<\/p>\n That came about a month after Kate announced that she completed\u00a0chemotherapy treatment<\/a> for cancer.<\/p>\n And in December, Princess Kate invited the families<\/a> and survivors from the town to her Together at Christmas<\/em>\u00a0 carol service held at Westminster Abbey.<\/p>\n The couple’s visit to Southport in Oct. 2024 followed that of King Charles<\/a>‘ poignant trip there on Aug. 20,\u00a0where he met<\/a>\u00a0some of the families affected by the tragedy and other local groups and faith leaders impacted by the violence.<\/p>\n