King Charles has arrived in Southport to meet those affected by the 29 July knife attack and the riot that followed in the town.
He travelled to Merseyside to privately meet some of the children who survived the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class. He was also expected to thank frontline emergency responders personally.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed during the attack in a studio on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside. Ten others, including two adults, were seriously injured and taken to hospitals across north-west England.
The attacks sparked violent disorder in towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland as rioters clashed with police, with the violence blamed on online disinformation posted on social media.
It is the king’s first visit to Southport since the attack and subsequent disorder.
In a statement issued on the day of the attack, Charles said: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today. We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack.”
Tuesday’s visit is to express in person his continued support for those affected by the attack and its aftermath. He will meet members of the Southport community and representatives from Merseyside’s emergency services as well as local groups affected by the violent disorder in the town, including faith leaders.
Buckingham Palace said the king would meet the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice in London on Wednesday.
Royal sources said Charles was kept updated daily on the public disorder, though he was not expected to make visits or official statements about it until after the unrest had subsided.
It follows the precedent of the late Queen Elizabeth during the rioting of 2011. In such previous cases, royal visits to trouble spots have tended to follow after the wave of unrest and violence has settled.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 18, is charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder in relation to the 29 July attack.
The Cardiff-born teenager, who was living in the Lancashire village of Banks, was not initially named due to his age – he was 17 at the time of the attack. The anonymity order was lifted by Judge Andrew Menary KC, who said the “idiotic rioting” in parts of the UK after the attack was one reason why it was in the public interest for Rudakubana’s name to be released.
