Royal couple returns to Southport to comfort families after knife attack; Kate debuts lightened bronde hair

William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, visited Southport on Thursday morning to privately meet with the grieving parents of Elsie Dot Stancombe at her former infant school. The visit marked the couple’s second appearance in the Merseyside town since the June 2024 stabbing spree that claimed the lives of three children and left several others injured, underscoring the royal family’s continued commitment to families affected by the tragedy. Axel Rudakubana, 19, was later jailed for life with a minimum term of 52 years for the attack, which also injured eight other children and a dance teacher who tried to shield the youngsters.

Kate, 43, arrived with her husband in a scene described by observers as composed and solemn. The Princess of Wales wore a smart pink blouse and grey trousers, paired with a matching coat, while her hair—brightened into a honey-bronde shade—caught the sun. It was the latest public evolution of her look, after she first debuted lighter blond tones last month. Hair experts cited the autumnal shift as a suitable moment for a public-facing reintroduction, noting the versatility and warmth of the hue. Kate’s appearance drew attention for its elegance, with observers highlighting how the change complements the season’s muted palette.

Upon arrival, the couple were greeted by 430 children at the infant school Elsie had been due to attend in Year 3. Local staff and parents, including Elsie’s mother Jenni and father David, joined the reception around the gate before leading the royal party inside. Peter Oliver, deputy Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, and mayor June Burns, along with Sefton council leader Marion Atkinson and chief executive Phillip Porter, welcomed William and Kate, who were then guided to meet representatives from the school council—sixteen pupils from both the junior and infant sections.

Inside, William and Kate spoke with teachers about how the school had supported pupils and families in the wake of the tragedy. They also met privately with Elsie’s parents in the headteacher’s office, continuing a pattern of outreach the couple began during their first visit to Southport last autumn. The royal binational gesture followed a year in which the couple had already engaged with the bereaved families and responders who worked to assist the community after the attack. Earlier coverage noted how the royals, along with those who risked their lives on the day, had connected with the families and pledged ongoing support.

The couple’s engagement in Southport has been described by organizers as part of a broader commitment to stand with the community as it processes unimaginable loss. In their statements after last year’s attack, William and Kate said they could not begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones affected by the events were going through, underscoring their intention to remain involved. The royal visit comes amid continued discussions in the inquiry into the incident, including a recent statement from Elsie’s mother describing her daughter as “our joy, our pride, our everything.”

The event also highlighted the broader network of support surrounding the school and town: emergency responders, mental health professionals and local volunteers have remained involved in delivering services to pupils and families. In April, the royal couple quietly donated to Churchtown Primary School—where Alice and Bebe attended—in support of a new playground intended to honor the two girls and provide an expanded space for children to play. The hospitalities and gestures are part of a sustained push to keep the community connected during a period of collective grieving.

The family’s attendance at the event followed a pattern of public appearances that began with their first visit to Southport in October of the previous year and continued with subsequent acts of support. A spokesman for the couple underscored that today’s visit would be another step in their ongoing pledge to stand with the Southport community, noting that further engagements were planned for later in the day. In their public remarks and private conversations with families, William and Kate have repeatedly emphasized the importance of supporting one another in the face of tragedy, a message that has often been echoed by local officials and school leaders who know the community well.

As observers look to future appearances, the focus remains on the families directly affected by the stabbing and on the community’s healing process. The royals’ presence in Southport serves as a reminder of the role that public figures can play in providing moral and emotional support during times of bereavement, alongside the ongoing work of educators, first responders and volunteers who have remained deeply involved in the aftermath.