In a touching move, Kate Middleton has invited the children who survived the Southport stabbings to her Christmas carol concert after meeting them last month.
The Princess of Wales, 42, met them in private previously and they will reunite on December 6 at her first Together at Christmas celebration since finishing her chemotherapy.
She visited the grieving town in October and offered words of comfort to the families of little Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
In a deeply personal statement released in the wake of the attack, the Princess wrote: ‘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.’
Their meeting with the victims’ families was held completely in private and not announced publicly until they had left.
The prince and princess spent half an hour in private with each of the girls’ families.
They also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was seriously injured as she shielded youngsters as they were attacked by a knifeman during a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday class.
The couple then went onto meet with emergency responders who were involved in the aftermath of the attack at a local community centre to hear about their experiences.
In August, King Charles also paid tributes to the victims of the Southport stabbing during an emotional visit to the town. and met with survivors of the rampage.
The Princess of Wales arriving for the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London, in 2022
Left to right: Southport victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguia
Prince William and the Princess of Wales arrive for a visit to Southport Community Centre in Southport, north west England on October 10
According to The Sun, the young survivors of the horrendous attack will stay in London for three days, with their transport and accommodation paid for by charity Southport Stronger Together.
Around 1,600 invites have been sent out to the Princess of Wales’ event, who wants to celebrate those who have ‘above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive’.
The King, Queen Camilla and William are all expected at the concert, with a later decision being made on whether George, Charlotte and Louis will attend.
A source told the newspaper: ‘The Royal family have been a tremendous support to the families.
‘The King met the survivors, then Kate took time out to meet them in private last month with Prince William.’
Axel Rudakubana, of Banks in Lancashire, 18, is accused of killing the three children in the savage knife attack is charged with the attempted murder of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He is also charged with possession of a knife.
Axel Rudakubana (pictured), of Banks in Lancashire, is charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, six-year-old Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven
A courtroom sketch shows Axel Rudakubana appearing via video link at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 30, 2024
Members of the community blow bubbles as people gathered to mourn victims of the Southport knife attack by holding a vigil on August 5
Alice, Bebe and Elise died following the stabbings at The Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside, shortly before midday on July 29.
The killings sparked large scale riots, fuelled by misinformation on social media, in towns and cities across the UK in August.
Rioting broke out in Southport with the local mosque targeted and a popular convenience shop attacked.
The disorder included looting with hotels housing asylum seekers also attacked before counter demonstrations appeared to quell the disturbances.
The violence, denounced as ‘far-right thuggery’ by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, was sparked by false claims about the identity of a teenage suspect later charged with three counts of murder.
Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and moved to the Southport area in 2013. He was living in Banks, Lancashire, at the time of the attack.
Kate’s visit to speak with the survivors was the first public engagement for the princess since she announced that she had complete treatment for cancer and would undertake a carefully calibrated return to public duties.
Members of the public gathered to hold a vigil at the scene on July 29
The trip to Southport was the first public engagement since the Princess of Wales announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment
In an emotional post following their visit, the couple pledged that they ‘continue to stand with everyone in Southport’
Apart from a small media contingency, the visit was kept deliberately low key as both the prince and princess wanted it to remain as discreet as possible out of respect to those involved.
While speaking to the emergency personnel, Kate was asked how the families of the three girls killed in the attack were doing.
She said: ‘They’re OK. They’re managing it differently. All the families are so different. Individually too they are managing it and processing this tragic event in very different ways but they’re getting support from families and officers and things like that.
‘I think being able to have opportunities to be able to speak to different people in the community about the experience and drawing that together and sharing their experience I think is massively helpful.’
Referencing the earlier meeting with the families of those who died in the attack, the Princess of Wales said: ‘I can’t underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day.
The royal pair also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was seriously injured as she shielded youngsters (Prince William and Princess Kate are pictured in Southport)
The Prince and Princess of Wales meet a critical care paramedic from the Air Ambulance during a visit to Southport Community Centre
‘On behalf of them, thank you.’
The Prince of Wales told the personnel: ‘You’re all heroes. Please make sure you look after yourselves, please take your time, don’t rush back to work.’
The couple shook hands with the emergency workers after the conversation.
Kate rested a hand on William’s back as she joined him to speak to a member of air ambulance crew.
William called the emergency workers ‘true professionals’ and said they had a ‘bumpy few months’ ahead but would get through it together.
He said: ‘The first thing we thought about was actually how on earth you guys are going to handle having seen what you’ve seen. So, please take your time, don’t rush back to work, do whatever you need to, talk about it, give your superiors a hard time if they not letting you have that time to decompress because it’s so important you have those moments.’
In August, King Charles paid tributes to the victims of the Southport stabbing during an emotional visit to the town.
The monarch was greeted with cheers and applause as he viewed a floral display honouring the youngsters killed in the horror knife attack.
Later the royal couple had a sit down meeting with other members of the emergency services
The King visited Southport in August, a month after the horrific stabbings took place
The monarch appeared moved by the huge number of floral tributes left in Southport
At the time, King Charles said he and Queen Camilla were ‘profoundly shocked’ by the attack
He also met with survivors of the rampage.
Reacting to the tragedy at the time, King Charles said: ‘My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today.
‘We send out most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.’
During the his trip to Southport town hall, Charles was greeted by Dr Ruth Hussey, the vice lord lieutenant of Merseyside, and counsellor June Burns, the mayor of Sefton.
He then viewed a large makeshift memorial dedicated to the victims, gesturing in appreciation at the scale of it. One member of the public gave him three cheers and another shouted ‘thank you for coming’ as he greeted the crowds.
The King affectionately patted one young girl on the shoulder as he shook hands with many of the hundreds gathered to see him.