(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Sign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and picturesMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Sign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and picturesInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeKing Charles gave an four-word update on his health as he spoke to tearful locals in Southport on a visit to meet those affected by a knife attack that killed three young girls. The King greeted wellwishers outside Southport Town Hall and took a moment to reflect on the huge array of floral tributes and gifts laid outside in memory of the three youngsters killed in the stabbings last month. Hundreds had gathered to welcome Charles, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, and he was welcomed by roaring cheers and applause from the crowd. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed when a knifeman entered a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club at the Hart Space Community Centre to carry out the atrocity, leaving 10 others seriously injured. During his visit to the Merseyside town, the King held a private meeting with survivors, along with their families, but beforehand he took time to greet those who had gathered outside the town hall.
King Charles in Southport today
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Some members of the crowd clapped while others cheered and shouted: ‘God save the King,’ as the monarch took in the floral tributes, teddy bears and balloons. He stopped to shake the hands of some, including local Linsey Hislop, 43, who asked him about his health following his cancer treatment. “I’m not too bad,” the King replied, as first reported by the Mirror. Linsey told the paper she was a ‘big Royalist’ and wanted to show support. “I love the Royal Family, and my son is a police officer who was working during the riots so it’s really good of the King to come,” she said. Other members of the crowd appeared emotional and were in tears as King Charles stopped to speak to them. The King affectionately patted one young girl on the shoulder as he shook hands with many of the hundreds gathered to see him. He told one woman: “Look at all the flowers” and said he hoped people had not been waiting too long. He was then shown inside to meet the children and adults who witnessed last month’s attack as well as the family liasion officers who have been supporting those affected.
The King greeted wellwishers outside Southport Town Hall
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ahead of his arrival in Southport, Buckingham Palace said the King’s visit is a show of his “continued support” for those involved in the brutal attack last month. Charles will also add his personal thanks to brave frontline emergency staff in the region for their ongoing work serving local people by meeting representatives from Merseyside’s emergency services and local community groups at Southport Community Fire Station. He will meet the bereaved families from Southport in London tomorrow. On the day the horror unfolded, Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the King where he labelled the incident a “truly appalling attack”. Charles revealed his cancer diagnosis back in February and has been undergoing treatment. His trip to Southport today comes after he arrived at Balmoral Castle in Scotland yesterday as part of his summer break but is continuing to work on his government red boxes while performing State duties while in Scotland as usual, sources said.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnTaylor SwiftRoyal Family
