The Princess of Wales made a heartfelt return to her public duties by meeting with the families of the young victims of the tragic stabbing attack that took place in Southport in July.
Kate Middleton and Prince William made an unannounced visit to Southport, where three children lost their lives during a mass stabbing on July 29 at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class.
On October 10, both the Prince and Princess of Wales, aged 42, traveled to the town in England to show their support for the community, which is still reeling from the devastating attack. While Prince William’s attendance was anticipated, Kate chose to accompany him. This marked her first public engagement since announcing on September 9 that she had completed chemotherapy, six months after revealing in March that she was undergoing cancer treatment.
As PEOPLE reports, Kate is following a lighter public schedule for the remainder of the year. A few engagements, primarily related to her Early Years initiative and her annual Christmas Carol Service, have been added to the official royal calendar, also known as the court circular. Kate also hopes to participate in Remembrance Sunday alongside her family, depending on her health.
On October 10, 2024, Prince William and Kate Middleton went to the Southport Community Centre in northwest England. There, they met with rescue workers and families who had been touched by the knife attack in Southport earlier that year.
Fire, hospital, air ambulance, and police officers were among the people the Prince and Princess met during their visit. They talked about how the terrible event affected the first rescuers’ mental health as they talked about their own experiences. It just so happened that the royals’ visit happened on World Mental Health Day. They also talked to mental health workers who have been helping the first responders in the months since the attack.