King Charles arrives in Southport to meet with children who survived stabbing attack

The King has arrived in Southport to meet some of the children who survived the knife attack in the Merseyside town.

The monarch will hold a private meeting with the young people and their families who were most directly affected by the attack at The Hart Space community centre on 29 July.

The King will also show his thanks to the emergency services who responded.

Crowds cheered as he arrived at Southport Town Hall shortly after 1.30pm, where tributes have been left outside in memory Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who died in the attack.

The King stopped to look at the memorials and greet some of those gathered before going inside the building to meet some of the children who survived the ordeal, their families and the police liaison team working with them.

Hundreds of bunches of flowers and cuddly toys have been laid near the town hall, where a vigil was held the night after the attack.

The King walked around the tributes, waving to the crowd and shaking some hands and was applauded as he walked into the building.

He is also due to visit Southport Community fire station today, where he will meet staff representing Merseyside’s police, fire and rescue, and ambulance services, as well as regional leaders including the mayors of the Liverpool City Region and Sefton and local MP Patrick Hurley.

Other local groups impacted by the violent disorder in Southport, including faith leaders, will also have time to share their experiences with him.

His Majesty will also meet with the three bereaved families from Southport in London tomorrow.

A Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop aimed at children aged between primary school years two and six was taking place at the time of the attack in the seaside town, which is north of Liverpool. Eight other children and two adults were also injured.

Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 years old at the time and has now turned 18, has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

After the “appalling attack”, the King sent his condolences and said: “My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today.”

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After some questioned why he wasn’t doing or saying more as unrest spread across the country, the palace made it known that he was asking for daily updates.

Following a telephone audience with the prime minister and emergency service chiefs, the palace also confirmed King Charles had “shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many”.

“It remains His Majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation,” they said.

Sky News was told that he was keen to visit affected communities to show his concern and support, but he did not want to put any additional burden on frontline services until they were ready.

Throughout his time as heir and monarch, a cornerstone of his official work has revolved around community cohesion and celebrating Britain’s diverse communities.