U.K News
Kate Joins Prince William For Her First Public Appearance Since Ending Cancer Treatment
Britain’s Prince and Princess of Wales paid a surprise visit to Southport, northwest England, on Thursday, where they visited the relatives of three youngsters slain in a knife attack in July.
Catherine, often known as Kate, made her first public appearance after completing her chemotherapy treatment.
On July 29, Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, were tragically murdered while taking a Taylor Swift-themed dance lesson in the town.
The royal couple visited privately with the three young girls’ relatives and their dance teacher, who was there throughout the incident.
Kate Joins Prince William For Her First Public Appearance Since Ending Cancer Treatment
William and Kate, who have only made a few public appearances this year, also met with emergency workers who attended the site in July, as well as mental health professionals who have been assisting the “blue light” community in the months after.
During the highly emotional meeting, Kate told the responders, “I can’t underestimate how grateful they [the families] all are for the support you provided on the day,” according to Britain’s PA Media news agency. She thanked the frontline staff on behalf of the families.
Meanwhile, William, the heir to the British throne, addressed the group as “heroes” and advised them to “make sure you look after yourselves.”
“Please take your time, don’t rush back to work,” he went on.
Following their surprising appearance in Southport, William and Kate posted about their “powerful” visit on social media.
“We will continue to stand with everyone in Southport.” Meeting the community today was a strong reminder of the need to help one another in the aftermath of unspeakable sorrow. “You will be in our thoughts and prayers,” the couple said in a post on X.
At the time of the knife attack, the Waleses stated on social media from the standpoint of parents. “We cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through,” they said in July, before expressing their “love, thoughts, and prayers” and gratitude to emergency personnel.
The couple also donated through their royal foundation to a fundraiser set up to provide psychological and physical rehabilitation to police and paramedic professionals engaged in the attack and following disturbances.
CNN understands that the princess decided to accompany her husband on Thursday to demonstrate her support, understanding, and sympathy for the local population.
Kate, 42, has been gradually returning to public life since announcing in a video last month that she had completed chemotherapy and was cancer-free. She has not stated which type of cancer she is being treated for.
Kate Joins Prince William For Her First Public Appearance Since Ending Cancer Treatment
The princess stated that the previous nine months had been difficult, but that “I am, however, looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”
She also paid a private visit to the English National Ballet a few weeks ago for a matinee performance, which she described as “moving and inspiring” on social media.
The Wales are not the only royals who have shown their solidarity for the grieving families and the Southport community. King Charles III paid a similar visit to the area in August to meet with those injured by the attack and thank first responders.
SOURCE | CNN
