On September 23rd, 2025, Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton visited Southport to support families and schools still healing from the knife attack that affected a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024. The tragedy claimed the lives of three young girls, Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. In January 2025, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 52 years for his involvement in the attack.
The Prince and Princess of Wales began their day at Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, where Elsie had been a student. They spoke with teachers about the impact of the tragedy and the support provided to pupils, staff, and the community. Reportedly, Kate Middleton told the students, “Well, I am very impressed with all of you — all the hard work you’ve done. What a fantastic thing to learn how to raise money to help other people. Fantastic, so keep up your hard work, and thank you.” The couple also met privately with Elsie’s parents and younger sister.
Later, the royals visited Churchtown Primary School to meet with the parents of Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar away from the cameras. They also spoke with children who had been affected by the attack. This visit followed their October 2024 trip to Southport, when they met grieving families and first responders. Their return showed a commitment to being present for the community, offering compassion and support, even after the tragic knife attack stopped making headlines.