King Charles III visited the tributes outside Southport Town Hall on Tuesday, 20 August (Image: 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 paid a poignant visit to Southport to to meet survivors of the fatal knife attack and their families. Charles travelled to Merseyside on Tuesday, 20 August, for a private meeting to hear the experiences of some of the young children who were attacked at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July. The King received a warm welcome with cheers from onlookers as he approached Southport Town Hall after 1:30pm, where tributes have been left outside in memory Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, who all tragically died in the attack. Respectfully, His Majesty paused at the memorial site, acknowledging the mourners before proceeding inside to meet with the survivors, their family members, and the police liaison team working with them. Charles is due to meet with the three bereaved families in London on Wednesday, reports PA.
King Charles III waved to the crowds as he visited Southport to meet survivors of the fatal knife attack and their families
(Image: Getty Images)
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In the wake of the tragedy, hundreds of floral arrangements and soft toys have been laid near the town hall, where a night vigil was held following the attack. The King gingerly navigated through the tributes, greeted by waves, handshakes, and applause from those present. Amongst the heartfelt memorials were balloons in the shape of stars, hearts, a disco ball and the girls’ ages. Messages shielded by plastic to preserve them expressed communal grief – one particularly moving tribute read: “God has gained three beautiful new angels… May you dance forever in heaven and be at peace.” By around 11:30 am, crowds had already started to amass outside the town hall, before the King’s arrival. Charles spent about 45 minutes meeting survivors before signing a book of condolence in the town hall. He signed his name, adding: “In deepest sympathy.”
The King reacts to the tributes outside Southport Town Hall following the 29 July attack at a children’s’ dance party
(Image: Getty Images)
The King navigated his way through the tributes to the young children who tragically lost their lives
(Image: Getty Images)
Sign up to OK’s royal newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free Later, Charles will be greeted by local politicians at Southport Community Fire Station where he’ll hear from Merseyside’s police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services about their roles during the disturbances. He’ll also meet with local groups, including faith leaders. Following last month’s attack, riots broke out in Southport and across the country. The disorder included looting, with hotels housing asylum seekers also being targeted before counter-demonstrations seemed to calm the disturbances. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the violence as “far-right thuggery”, which was triggered by false claims about the identity of a teenage suspect who was later charged with three counts of murder. The family of the last child to be discharged from hospital earlier this month condemned the “disorder” and attacks on police officers, emphasising that “when the horrific events unfolded, our police officers were the first on the scene”. The King has been privately addressing the issues raised by the disorder, which has resulted in hundreds of arrests.
Charles also met with members of the local community during his visit to Southport
(Image: Getty Images)
Following the Southport stabbings Charles, at his request, received daily briefings about the national situation when the disorder was at its height. It is not known what issues he has been focusing on, but he is a long-term promoter of inter-faith dialogue as a way to bring groups together and has championed community cohesionStory SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnKing Charles IIIRoyal Family
