On September 23, 2025, the town of Southport, perched on England’s northwest coast, welcomed Prince William and Princess Catherine for an emotional return—one that underscored both the rawness of recent tragedy and the remarkable resilience of its people. The royal couple’s visit came just over a year after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class claimed the lives of three young girls—Bebe King, 6, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7—and left a community reeling.
The day’s centerpiece was the unveiling of a new playground at Churchtown Primary School, built in memory of the three girls. The project, which blossomed from heartbreak, was funded by more than 13,000 donors and surpassed its £250,000 ($338,236) target, according to BBC. Surplus funds were shared among foundations honoring each child: Alice’s WonderDance Foundation, Bebe’s Hive, and Elsie’s Story. The playground features a stage, climbing gym, bike track, indoor and outdoor library, and a quiet reflection space—each element thoughtfully designed to give children a place for both play and healing.
Prince William addressed the assembled crowd at the playground’s opening, his words resonating deeply with parents, teachers, and students alike. “This playground is a symbol of how the community have come together to create such a positive place for the pupils of this school—a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy,” he said, as reported by HELLO! magazine. William went on to praise the teaching staff at Churchtown Primary and Farnborough Road schools, noting, “Each and every one of you has gone above and beyond to help heal this incredible group of young people.”
The significance of the visit was not lost on anyone present. For the families of the victims, particularly the Stancombes, the royal presence brought a measure of comfort and recognition. “It was around the recognition of what staff have done, how they have supported the family, how they have supported the children going forward,” said Jennie Sephton, head of the Infants School, as quoted by HELLO!. “It’s just real recognition that they value Jenni and David but they have also listened. It’s just so special.”
The attack on July 29, 2024, remains seared in the memory of Southport. A 17-year-old, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, entered the dance class armed with a knife, killing Bebe, Alice, and Elsie, and injuring eight other children and two adults. The aftermath was chaotic and painful: misinformation spread rapidly online, falsely claiming the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker. This led to a wave of racist and violent riots across the country, compounding the community’s grief with fear and unrest. As reported by BBC, the attacker was charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder. A public inquiry into the attack is ongoing, with hearings held at Liverpool Town Hall.
William and Catherine’s connection to the tragedy has been personal and sustained. Immediately after the attack, they issued a statement expressing their heartbreak: “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.” In October 2024, they made their first visit to Southport, marking Kate’s return to public life after completing chemotherapy. During that trip, they met bereaved families and the emergency responders who had rushed to the scene. King Charles also paid his respects the following month, meeting survivors and their loved ones.
On this latest visit, the royals spent time at both Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School and Churchtown Primary School, speaking with teachers and students about the community’s ongoing journey through grief. Kate, dressed in a somber gray coat and powder-pink blouse, was seen crouching to speak gently with the youngest pupils, while William chatted with older children about their favorite lessons and, humorously, their lunch menus. “He really wanted brownies on the menu. He loves Brownies, so we’re on the same team,” said 10-year-old Ellis Paynter, as reported by HELLO!.
The couple also spent around 20 minutes in a private meeting with Jenni and David Stancombe, Elsie’s parents, offering words of solace and solidarity. William and Catherine donated to fundraising efforts in Elsie’s honor, which included a London Marathon run by her father and Alice’s father, Sergio Aguiar. The headteachers, Jennie Sephton and Adrian Antell, even took part in a skydive to raise money for Elsie’s Story, with pupils paying £5 each to break school rules and push the fundraising over the top. “You went skydiving?!” William exclaimed, clearly impressed by their commitment.
The schools, recognizing the long road of recovery ahead, have secured extra funding for play therapy, counseling, and staff training in trauma-informed approaches. Donations have also supported the creation of a new garden by the Southport Flower Show. “Out of a terrible tragedy, people have been kind to us as a school community and have looked after us,” said Adrian Antell. He acknowledged the deep and lasting impact of the tragedy: “Children are missing their friends. How do you explain that to an eight-year-old?”
Prince William, in his speech, paid special tribute to the bereaved parents: “You have faced such horror, but from that you move forward with grace and fortitude, creating the most remarkable legacies for your girls. We will always be here to support you.” He also recommended the support of Child Bereavement UK, for which he serves as patron, noting the organization’s northern lead, Sophie Cartwright, is a former pupil of Farnborough Primary School—a poignant reminder of the community’s interconnectedness.
The visit was not only about solemn remembrance; it was also about fostering hope and resilience. The royal couple encouraged the children to “be brave, be joyful and be kind.” Kate praised the pupils’ fundraising efforts, telling them, “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.”
For Southport, the playground now stands as a living memorial, a place where laughter and remembrance coexist. The royal visit, with its blend of empathy, gratitude, and encouragement, offered a powerful message: even in the face of unspeakable loss, a community can come together, heal, and build something beautiful for the future.
