After taking time away from public engagements to focus on her recovery from cancer, Princess Kate made a surprise appearance alongside Prince William on Thursday, Oct. 10, marking her first outing since completing chemotherapy.
The royal couple met with families and emergency responders affected by the tragic knife attack that resulted in the deaths of three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England, this summer.
Dressed in coordinated burgundy outfits, the royal couple showcases solidarity while addressing serious issues facing the Southport community
During their visit, the Princess of Wales spoke with the families of Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Bebe King, 6, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, who lost their lives in the July incident. They also connected with the girls’ dance teacher, Leanne Lucas, who sustained injuries while attempting to shield her students from harm.
The engagement coincided with World Mental Health Day, and the royal couple, dressed in coordinated burgundy outfits, took the opportunity to meet with firefighters, ambulance personnel, and police officers who responded to the tragic event.
At the Southport Community Centre, Princess Kate and Prince William, who has experience as an emergency responder, discussed how the incident has affected the mental well-being of those involved.
In the wake of the attack, the Southport community has united to offer mental health services to the emergency personnel who were on the scene, and the Waleses took time to engage with practitioners providing this support since the tragedy in July.
According to Kensington Palace, “Ensuring emergency responders receive long-term mental health support following traumatic events is a cause close to the heart of The Prince of Wales, given his first-hand experience as an emergency responder while serving as a pilot with RAF search and rescue and East Anglian Air Ambulance.”
The couple’s Royal Foundation has backed a fundraiser initiated by the National Police and Wellbeing Service to assist those affected by the attack and the ensuing riots.
