Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Southport classmates of Taylor Swift-themed dance class victims
Royal couple meets teachers and families, as justice and long-term support efforts continue more than a year after the attack
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Southport, England, on Tuesday to speak with teachers at Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School and to hear how the Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop attack has affected students and staff more than a year later.
At the school, William and Kate discussed classroom safety and emotional support with educators and then spoke privately with the family of Elsie Dot Stancombe, a seven-year-old girl who was killed in the July 2024 incident. The attack, which occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed workshop, also claimed the lives of two other young swimmers: Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6. Ten additional people were injured when a suspect, Axel Rudakubana, then 18, attacked participants.
Rudakubana was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. In January, he was sentenced to 13 life terms with a minimum term of 52 years for the murders and related counts. The royals’ visit included a private conversation with Stancombe’s family as part of their outreach to those affected by the tragedy.
Image for context: Middleton and William in Southport
The engagement comes as authorities and community leaders emphasize long-term support for families and schools, rather than a single moment of remembrance.
Last November, Middleton invited the survivors and relatives of victims to her Christmas carol service, which took place the following month. A royal source quoted by The Sun said the royal family has been a tremendous source of support for the families, noting that King Charles III met with survivors and that Kate Middleton later met them privately with Prince William.
Taylor Swift also played a role in supporting those affected. Swift met with survivors and the families of victims during her Eras Tour stop in London in August 2024 and raised more than $25,000 for them. An insider described Middleton as personally ensuring that everyone affected would be invited to the “Together at Christmas” event in London, a three-day gathering that held significant meaning for the families involved.
Image for context: Tragically killed dance class town area
The July 2024 attack, which drew widespread attention to the safety of children at extracurricular activities, led to ongoing conversations about safeguarding in schools and community centers. While the sentencing in January underscored the severity of the case, supporters and officials stressed the importance of ongoing counseling, memorial events, and access to services for those affected.
The royal visit to Southport underscores the royal family’s ongoing public-facing role in offering support to families and communities dealing with the aftermath. Local authorities have said that schools affected by the incident continue to implement enhanced emotional-support programs and safety protocols, with families invited to participate in community vigils and services when appropriate. The case also highlighted the broader conversation around safeguarding and youth programs in the wake of such tragedies, and the public expressions of support from prominent figures have been part of that ongoing process.
As the community marks the passage of time since the attack, officials say the focus remains on healing, resilience, and ensuring that schools have access to resources to support students and staff who continue to carry the event with them.