PEOPLE'S PRINCESS
Kate makes surprise public appearance with Wills to meet Southport victims & hugs tearful emergency workers
Kate is making her return to royal duties after her cancer battle
BEAMING Kate joined William in a surprise public appearance to meet victims of the Southport attack today.
It is her first public engagement with her husband since her cancer diagnosis - with the last time they took up duties together the Princess' carol concert last December.
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Bebe King, six, was killed along with Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town on July 29.
Their Royal Highnesses met privately with the families of the three tragic children, and dance teacher Leanne Lucas who was present when the attack happened.
Leanne, 35, nearly died after being stabbed in the neck, back and arms as she bravely fought to protect her class.
Will and Kate also met with the fire, ambulance, air ambulance and police services at the Southport Community Centre.
READ MORE ON THE ATTACK
The Princess of Wales was seen hugging tearful emergency service workers as they told her of their ordeal responding to the Southport stabbings.
And she was so moved by their traumatic experience that she broke off from the engagement to go back and hug crews who had told of their anxiety and the toll on their mental health since that day.
Meanwhile, William described the brave 999 teams as "heroes" and "true professionals" at an emotional meeting in the seaside town today.
William, 42, said: "The first thing we thought about was actually how on earth you guys are going to handle having seen what you've seen.
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"So please take your time, don't rush back to work, do whatever you need to, talk about it, give your superiors a hard time if they are not letting you have that time to decompress because it's so important you have those moments."
The dad-of-three added: "You're all heroes. Please make sure you look after yourselves, please take your time, don't rush back to work... you are all true professionals."
The Prince and Princess then greeted mental health practitioners who have been working to deliver long term support to the blue light community.
Emergency crews also asked the couple how the families of the three slain little girls were coping, after their private meeting with the victims just minutes before.
Three girls killed in Southport stabbing named as tributes paid to Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Aguiar
Kate, 42, told them: "They're OK. They're managing it differently. All the families are so different. Individually too they are managing it and processing this tragic event in very different ways but they're getting support from families and officers and things like that.
She added: "I can't underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day.
"On behalf of them, thank you."
In a heartwarming post on X, formerly Twitter, the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote: "We continue to stand with everyone in Southport.
"Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.
"You will remain in our thoughts and prayers. W & C."
The moving post was accompanied by a picture of William and Kate speaking with those involved in the Southport tragedy.
It comes after Kate last month announced she is now "cancer free".
The Sun understands the Prince of Wales was initially supposed to attend the visit alone - but his wife was very keen to join him.
The Princess announced she had finished her chemotherapy course in a heartfelt video on September 9.
Kate, 42, said she was entering "this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life".
The Princess said she was "looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months" but added her focus was "doing what I can to stay cancer free".
Today's visit is part of her gradual return and she has other light engagements lined up, before hopefully joining her family on Remembrance Sunday.
SICKENING ATTACK
Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured in the knife rampage in July.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, has since been charged with three murders and 10 counts of attempted murder, and awaits trial.
Yoga dance teacher Leanne suffered stab injuries to the arms, neck and back in a bid to protect the children.
Her colleague Heidi Liddle, meanwhile, escaped uninjured after bravely locking some of the children inside a toilet.
Jonathan Hayes was stabbed in the leg as he bravely tried to fend off the attacker after running into the class when he heard screams.
Terrified witnesses described the rampage as a ";horror film" as the teen allegedly stabbed children at random.
The attack sparked riots across the country following alt-right groups and supporters spreading misinformation about the suspect being an illegal immigrant.
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Dozens of people were convicted in relation to the unrest.
In the aftermath of the incident, the National Police and Wellbeing Service set up a fundraiser to help those who were involved in the immediate response.
It was supported by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Blue Light Card Foundation who made donations to help fast track psychological and physical rehab for police and ambulance personnel involved in the attack and the subsequent riots.
Ensuring emergency responders receive long-term mental health support following traumatic events is a cause close to the heart of The Prince of Wales, given his first-hand experience as an emergency
responder while serving as a pilot with RAF search and rescue and East Anglian Air Ambulance.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Popstar Swift met some of the survivors the month after the rampage, inviting the children and their families to her Wembley gigs for the Eras Tour.
She was pictured hugging some of the starstruck youngsters.
Also in August, King Charles met survivors and saw for himself the heartbreaking tributes during a visit to the town.
The monarch, 75, broke off his summer holiday to express his condolences.
One member of the public gave him three cheers and another shouted “thank you for coming” as he greeted the crowds.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
After spending around half an hour with the survivors and their families, he signed a book of condolence that was opened shortly after the attack.
In it, he used his own fountain pen to write his name and the date, adding “In deepest sympathy.”
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
Jan 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
Jan 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
Jan 18: William spends time at Kate's bedside
Jan 23: The princess' hospital stay passes one week
Jan 29: Kate leaves hospital
Feb 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
Mar 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother's Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out 'kill notice' on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel's Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: "I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon"
June 14: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King's Birthday Parade
June 15: Kate beams as she joins her family at the annual Trooping the Colour event
July 14: The royal attends Wimbledon with sister Pippa and Princess Charlotte to hand out trophies to players
July 15: Kate shares a touching photo of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watching England in the Euro 2024 final
August 11: She joins a bearded Prince William in a video to congratulate Team GB in the Olympics
September 9: Kate reveals her treatment for cancer has finished
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