Princess Kate makes her first surprise public visit since finishing chemotherapy
The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance alongside the Prince of Wales on a visit to Southport, where they held a private meeting with the bereaved families of the three children killed in a knife attack in July, according to the BBC.
Photo source: Instagram
This was Catherine’s first official public engagement since completing her chemotherapy treatment.
Royal sources say she decided to join Prince William to show her “support, empathy and compassion for the local community”.
The couple spoke to emergency response teams who helped at the scene of the devastating knife attack in the northwestern seaside town.
Catherine hugged some of the emergency workers and fire chief Phil Garrigan said he “could see the emotion in them”.
The royal visit to Southport was planned as a low-key event to allow time to be spent privately with the families of the three children who died and the dance teacher who was present during the attack.
But Catherine was a surprise, having one of the few public appearances this year, since she was diagnosed with cancer.
Wearing a long, autumnal-looking brown coat, she arrived with her husband to meet grieving families and emergency workers described by Prince William as “heroes”.
After finishing chemotherapy, Catherine began to gradually return to work, including attending meetings on her early years campaign last month.
However, this is the most important moment yet in the return to royal duties.
Catherine has spoken of having “good days and bad days” and Kensington Palace warned that her appearances could be flexible and subject to last-minute changes.
The visit to Southport was intended by Prince William and Catherine to show the community that it “has not been forgotten”. The prince and princess heard about efforts to bring the community together after the knife attack – and the wave of riots that followed.
Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, were killed on July 29, 2024, in the attack on a children’s dance group.
The royal couple spent 90 minutes speaking to the families of the three children and later thanked the families of first responders at a meeting at Southport Community Centre. Catherine told emergency workers they had supported the families in their “darkest times” – and said: “On their behalf, thank you.”
Ten other people – eight of whom were children – were injured in the stabbings.
Axel Rudakubana, aged 17, was arrested at the scene and charged with several murders and attempted murders.
Source: www.mediafax.ro
