Prince and Princess of Wales visit Southport to meet pupils processing grief after school stabbing

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Churchtown Primary School in Southport on Tuesday to meet pupils and families affected by the June 29, 2024 stabbing that killed Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; Bebe King, six; and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and wounded eight others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. It followed a private morning meeting with the parents of Alice and Bebe at Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School and included a tour of the school library, where Alice’s classmates described the art therapy they have continued to use to cope with grief.

During the library session, the students explained three group paintings that chart an emotional journey. A teacher noted the children had worked together to create the piece, and Kate, who studied art history at St Andrews University, replied, “Gosh, it’s very powerful.” The first painting depicted a wolf howling in front of a full moon in a forest, with a squirrel in the top left corner representing jumping thoughts and an inability to control them. The pupils described the imagery as a way to express thoughts and feelings they could not otherwise articulate. The second painting showed a blooming flower with the children’s handprints, symbolizing growth and the group’s unity and mutual support. Kate asked if the children had all contributed to different parts of the picture, and they affirmed they had. “Were you able to all do different parts of the picture?” she asked, and the students responded in the affirmative.

The third piece appeared to convey how the group supported one another through their sadness. A pupil explained that butterflies represented the three girls, Elsie and Alice, along with Bebe, while bees stood for Bebe. A final element, a cherry blossom, signified that spring brought happiness again and that the children remained hopeful about the future. William praised the moment, telling the students, “Well done you guys. It’s got such a strong meaning behind it.”

The royal couple’s visit to Churchtown followed their private meeting with the grieving parents earlier in the day at Farnborough Road School. In a speech to the Churchtown pupils, William urged the classmates of Alice and Bebe to honor their memories by being brave, joyful and kind. He described the new playground built at the school as a symbol of remembrance and resilience, and a testament that love can help communities move forward.

The playground, described by school staff as inspirational, includes a stage and new indoor and outdoor libraries, as well as areas for quiet reflection, a multi-games space, a climbing frame and a bike- and scooter-friendly track for younger pupils. Fundraising tied to the tragedy helped finance the project, with surplus funds distributed to local charities involved in Southport’s recovery and to three charities established in memory of Alice, Bebe and Elsie—Alice’s WonderDance Foundation, Bebe’s Hive and Elsie’s Story. Alice and Bebe’s fathers and the school’s headteacher, Jinnie Payne, took part in the London Marathon to support the appeal, and the royals contributed privately.

The event culminated in a community gathering at the playground, with 700 pupils and staff in attendance. The pupils sang “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman as William and Kate joined them. Headteacher Jinnie Payne read a student-written poem about hope, and two Year 6 pupils presented the couple with posies after a brief moment of thanks. Lauren King, among the parents present, described the visit as deeply meaningful and said the royals’ support has been a powerful gesture for a community continuing to heal.

The visit underscores ongoing efforts to support families affected by the Southport tragedy and to recognize the role of art and community in resilience. The Prince and Princess of Wales have now repeatedly engaged with Southport’s schools and families as part of their broader commitment to children’s welfare and community healing in the wake of the attack.