The Prince and Princess of Wales returned to Southport today (23 September) to revisit the ‘community who are pulling together and healing’ following the devastating attack in Southport last summer. There is currently an ongoing inquiry into the event, which saw a teenager kill three children – Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguiar – and attempt to harm others, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024.

The Prince and Princess of Wales previously visited the community to offer their support in October last year and returned to the town today. For the visit, children from Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School (which Elsie attended) lined up with flags to welcome the royals. In a sweet gesture, Kate can be seen grasping the hand of one of the children, and greeting them all warmly.

southport, england september 23: school children wave flags during a visit by prince william, prince of wales and catherine, princess of wales to farnborough road infant and junior school on september 23, 2025 in southport, england. the prince and princess of wales carried out engagements to show their ongoing support to the community following the attack in july 2024, in which three girls alice da silva aguiar, bebe king and elsie dot stancombe were tragically killed at a dance class in the town. their royal highnesses will visit farnborough road infant and junior school, where elsie dot stancombe was a pupil at the school and speak to 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. (photo by eddie mulholland wpa pool/getty images)
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southport, england september 23: catherine, princess of wales meets school children during a visit to farnborough road infant and junior school on september 23, 2025 in southport, england. the prince and princess of wales carried out engagements to show their ongoing support to the community following the attack in july 2024, in which three girls alice da silva aguiar, bebe king and elsie dot stancombe were tragically killed at a dance class in the town. their royal highnesses will visit farnborough road infant and junior school, where elsie dot stancombe was a pupil at the school and speak to 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. (photo by eddie mulholland wpa pool/getty images)
WPA Pool

As well as meeting the pupils, the Prince and Princess of Wales spoke to teachers about how the school was impacted by the tragedy and heard about the support the school had offered pupils, staff and the wider local community. The couple toured a new memorial playground, and also met with the bereaved families in private, according to The Times.

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southport, england september 23: prince william, prince of wales and catherine, princess of wales walk with with junior school head adrian antell during a visit to farnborough road infant and junior school on september 23, 2025 in southport, england. the prince and princess of wales carried out engagements to show their ongoing support to the community following the attack in july 2024, in which three girls alice da silva aguiar, bebe king and elsie dot stancombe were tragically killed at a dance class in the town. their royal highnesses will visit farnborough road infant and junior school, where elsie dot stancombe was a pupil at the school and speak to 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. (photo by eddie mulholland wpa pool/getty images)
WPA Pool

‘This playground is a symbol of how the community have come together to create such a positive space for the pupils of this school — a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy,’ Prince William said to The Times.

In an Instagram story, the couple shared photographs from the visit saying Kate and Prince William had returned, ‘to see a community who are pulling together and healing in the wake of the tragic incident last summer.’