In a moving act of compassion, Kate Middleton has extended invitations to children who survived the tragic Southport stabbings to attend her upcoming Christmas carol concert. The Princess of
Wales, 42, previously met the young survivors during a private visit last month and will reunite with them on December 6 for the Together at Christmas celebration, marking her first event since completing chemotherapy.
The Princess visited Southport in October, offering comfort to the grieving families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who tragically lost their lives in the attack. In a heartfelt statement released after the incident, she wrote: "As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through."
During her visit, Kate and Prince William met privately with the victims' families, including Leanne Lucas, a 35-year-old dance teacher who was seriously injured while shielding children during the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed summer class. The couple also spoke with emergency responders involved in the aftermath, expressing gratitude for their heroic efforts.
The Christmas event, hosted by the Princess of Wales, will welcome 1,600 attendees and aims to honor individuals who exemplify resilience and love in the face of tragedy. According to The Sun, the young survivors will spend three days in London, with travel and accommodation funded by the charity Southport Stronger Together.
The King, Queen Camilla, and Prince William are expected to attend the carol concert, with a decision pending on whether Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis will join. A source described the royal family’s involvement as a "tremendous support" to the affected families.
King Charles had also visited Southport in August, a month after the attack, to pay his respects. He viewed a memorial of floral tributes and met survivors, expressing his and Queen Camilla's "profound shock" and heartfelt condolences.
The attack on July 29 claimed the lives of three young girls and left several others, including dance instructor Lucas, injured. The incident triggered widespread riots fueled by misinformation, with far-right groups targeting local institutions. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the violence as "far-right thuggery."
The attacker, Axel Rudakubana, 18, from Banks, Lancashire, has been charged with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, and possession of a knife. The riots and false social media claims surrounding the case caused significant unrest across the UK, including targeted attacks on mosques and asylum seeker accommodations.
Kate's visit to Southport marked her return to public duties following her cancer treatment. Speaking to emergency workers during her visit, she emphasized the importance of emotional support for those affected, saying, "I can’t underestimate how grateful [the families] all are for the support you provided on the day."
Prince William praised the first responders as "true professionals" and encouraged them to prioritize their mental well-being, acknowledging the challenges they faced in processing the traumatic events.
As the royal family continues to support Southport, the Together at Christmas concert stands as a poignant reminder of resilience and the power of community in the wake of tragedy. Photo by Ricky Wilson, Wikimedia commons.
