Princess Kate and Prince William are returning to Southport today following their promise to stand by the community in the wake of “unimaginable tragedy”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will carry out engagements in Southport 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.
The royal couple last visited Southport in October 2024 to stand alongside the local community following the incident.
During the visit, Kate and William met with bereaved families of those killed and the emergency responders who were involved in responding to the attack.
Princess Kate and Prince William are returning to Southport today following their promise to stand by the community in the wake of “unimaginable tragedy”.
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Following their visit to Southport on October 10, 2024, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a statement vowing to support Southport.
They said: “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. W & C”.
In January 2025, Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years for the murder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
The royal couple last visited Southport in October 2024.
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Axel Rudakubana refused to come into the courtroom as he was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court.
Impact statements from the families of the three girls were read out in court prior to the sentencing of Rudakubana.
A statement read out on behalf of Alexandra and Sergio Aguiar, Alice’s parents, described their daughter as "always a very kind girl, who valued equality and fairness at the core".
They said: "We were so lucky and privileged to have her. Every day felt like a gift.
"Alice was a beautiful girl, perfect in every way. Loved her school, her friends. Music, dance, colourful pens and friendship bracelets. She loved Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter."
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six.
|Merseyside Police
The mother of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe said their family “will carry her love, positivity and her legacy forward.”
Rudakubana was sentenced for three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, one of producing the biological toxin ricin and one of possession of an Al Qaeda training manual, an offence under the Terrorism Act.
In a statement after the hearing, Elsie’s family thanked the emergency services who responded to the incident.
They said: "We are so thankful for their bravery, compassion and strength which should serve as an inspiration to everybody,
The family also thanked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales for arranging private meetings where they offered their condolences.
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