The Prince of Wales has praised the “remarkable legacies” of the parents of the three girls killed in the Southport attack.
Prince William said the couples have “faced such horror” but from that they “move forward with grace and fortitude”.
On Tuesday, the heir to the throne and the Princess of Wales met the parents of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, as they were welcomed by pupils at the schools the girls attended.
The three youngsters were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town on 29 July 2024 by Axel Rudakubana, who was sentenced in January to life in prison with a minimum term of 52 years.
The visit came as an inquiry is under way to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events leading up to it.
The royal couple first went to Elsie’s school Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School and then Churchtown Primary School, which Alice and Bebe had attended.
At the latter school, Prince William and Kate were shown around a new playground which was built in the victims’ memory following a fundraising campaign.
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Speaking to the school’s 700 pupils, William said: “This playground is a symbol of how the community have come together to create such a positive space for the pupils of this school – a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy.”
He said the teaching communities at both schools had gone “above and beyond to help heal this incredible group of young people”.
Addressing the parents of Alice, Bebe and Elsie directly, the prince said: “To Alex and Sergio, Lauren and Ben, Jenni and David – you are parents united in grief.
“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.”
William and Kate had private meetings with the three sets of parents, including Elsie’s parents Jenni, 36, and David Stancombe, 37.
Bebe’s mother Lauren King, 42, said of the day’s events: “It meant everything. It was really special.
“I think we’re really grateful anyway how Bebe’s been honoured so much in this school and seeing the prince and princess support that and be here has been just amazing.”
Ben King, 43, and Lauren King showed William and Kate a wooden wigwam built in the playground which is named The Hive and has the words “Remember Bebe” on it.
Mrs King said: “That’s what she (Bebe) used to do in the playground, she used to find little secret spots with her friends and sit under and chat and talk. It’s just really nice that they’ve honoured those small little moments. They are small but they mean so much to us, it’s lovely.”
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Alice’s parents Sergio and Alexandra Aguiar showed William and Kate the playground’s stage area, which had been built for students with a love of performing.
Mrs Aguiar, 34, said: “Prince William asked if that would be her favourite place and I said ‘yeah, she would have been there dancing away’.”
She said the visit had given pupils a “day they will never forget”.
She added: “It’s very special having them here, coming to see what we’ve all done together in memory of the girls. We turned something very tragic into a positive thing for all of our children. They are happy. It is really nice having them here.”
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Mr Aguiar, 38, said: “It’s so special to have them here to support us.”
It is the second time the royal couple have been to Southport in the wake of the attack and subsequent widespread rioting, the first time being last October.
Royal correspondent
The Prince and Princess of Wales had personally wanted to come back for this visit, here as two parents who had committed to do anything they could to help these families and this community.
I was there last October when they first came to Southport, visibly moved by what they heard, they promised they wouldn’t forget and they would return.
This was their chance to keep that promise, to once again see the families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, and meet for the first time some of their teachers and classmates.
It was a day to importantly remember the girls, but also show how together they are all trying to look forward in a hopeful and positive way, Prince William ending his speech with the words “be brave, be joyful and be kind”.
From the friendship bracelets they were given by Bebe’s mum Lauren, to the conversations they had with the children about how they’ve coped, it felt like it cemented the couple’s connection here; a playground full of children in the sunshine saying “good afternoon Prince of Wales” making him and others chuckle and smile, indicative of that incredible spirit and resilience they have shown despite everything.
We know William and Kate have personally donated money to the fundraising effort that helped to build the special new playground at the school Bebe and Alice went to, and the charities set up in all the girls’ names.
It is the most prominent example of how they want to use their roles to help specific communities, to keep in contact, to give something back from their position of privilege.
This was a genuine heartfelt effort to do whatever they can, as they appreciate nothing can completely heal their pain.
With the inquiry into last summer’s attack ongoing, many are still having to relive the unimaginable. The Prince and Princess of Wales know they aren’t unique in the way they feel about what happened here, the horror of it all is difficult for any of us to fully take in.
But what they can do is again remind us of the incredible strength and bravery these families and this community have shown, all in memory of those three beautiful little girls.
