William and Kate issue personal statement after princess's first joint outing since ending cancer treatment
The royal couple praised the Southport community after meeting its members today
PA
The Prince and Princess of Wales have issued a touching personal statement after their joint visit to Southport today.
The pair had met with bereaved families and emergency responders from the scene of July's horror attack, which saw three young girls killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The trip marked the couple's first joint public engagement since Kate's cancer treatment came to an end.
And now, via the KensingtonRoyal social media account, the prince and princess have hailed the fortitude of the Southport community.
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 pic.twitter.com/CP2DXJaqW2
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 10, 2024
In a personally signed post, they wrote: "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."
It is understood the engagement had initially been planned as a solo visit for William - but dutiful Kate then decided to join her husband in order to show her support, empathy and compassion for the local community.
MORE ON THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES:
The Prince and Princess of Wales met emergency responders in front of the cameras in SouthportPA
PICTURED: Kate speaks to air ambulance personnel in Southport
PAThe couple met the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, all fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport - as well as the children's dance teacher.
After spending around an hour and a half with the bereaved families, the Waleses walked over to Southport Community Centre where they joined emergency responders involved in the attack to hear about their experiences.
Kate and William also met health practitioners supporting the "blue light" community in Southport.
Their visit today followed a trip by the King himself to the town earlier this year.
King Charles made a kind-hearted vow to fans in Southport to pass on a special gift to Princess Kate and her daughter Princess CharlottePA
King Charles paid his respects to the three young girls tragically killed in the stabbings
GETTY
At the end of August, King Charles paid his respects to the three young girls tragically killed in the stabbings.
Charles also gave thanks to emergency workers and local community groups in the wake of the violent unrest which unfolded in Southport and the UK after the incident.
At the time, GB News' Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker said the King had "always wanted" to come to Southport, but was restricted by security concerns.
He said: "From my understanding, he always wanted to come. He's been given daily updates of the situation here in Southport and indeed the riots across the country... But of course, the King coming here, it takes a lot of police security and it takes a lot of organisation."
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