King Charles admiring tributes to the victims of the Southport attack AFP Charles has travelled to the Merseyside town this afternoon Reuters The monarch is meeting survivors of the mass stabbing Rex King Charles in Southport this afternoon AFP King Charles will meet children who survived the Southport attack today AFP Flowers and soft toys in the centre of Southport ahead of the King’s visit PA Six-year-old Bebe King died in the horror attack in Southport PA Elsie Dot Stancomb, seven, was also stabbed to death PA Nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died in the early hours of the following morning Facebook
On arrival at Southport town hall, Charles was greeted by Dr Ruth Hussey, the vice lord lieutenant of Merseyside, and counsellor June Burns, the mayor of Sefton.
He then viewed a large makeshift memorial dedicated to the victims, gesturing in appreciation at the scale of it.
One member of the public gave him three cheers and another shouted “thank you for coming” as he greeted the crowds.
The King affectionately patted one young girl on the shoulder as he shook hands with many of the hundreds gathered to see him.
He told one woman: “Look at all the flowers” and said he hoped people had not been waiting too long.
The colourful display of flowers, plants and cuddly toys outside the town hall has been maintained ever since the attacks.
The soft bears and dolls have been regularly collected by local volunteers and redistributed in dry weather.
The King was then shown inside to meet the children and adults who witnessed last month’s attack as well as the family liasion officers who have been supporting those affected.
He will later hold a private meeting with some of those affected including some of the surviving children who were present at the Hart Space Community Centre, and their families.
The King will then meet local leaders including Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Sefton Council councillor June Burns and Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson and local MP Patrick Hurley.
Inside Southport Community Fire Station, he will meet local fire, police and ambulance heroes as well as local faith leaders.
Tomorrow Charles will meet the families who were bereaved by the attack in London.
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 29 July.
Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, is also charged with three murders and 10 counts of attempted murder.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have said they are “profoundly shocked” in a statement they released following a knife attack last month.
The King later praised ordinary Brits who rose up against far-right hate in the wake of the Southport stabbings.
He praised the way in which ‘the aggression and criminality from a few’ had been met by ‘the compassion and resilience of the many’.
And spoke warmly of the ‘many examples of community spirit’ that have thwarted attempts to instil hate and fear in communities across Britain during a call with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer .
He also spoke to police chiefs about the strain their officers have been under.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “This evening The King held a phone audience with the Prime Minister, and additionally had a joint call with the Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex.
“In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder.
“Additionally, The King 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.”
The King moved into Balmoral, in Scotland , on Monday, to begin his summer break.
Taylor Swift meets children involved in Southport knife attack after reaching out to families
LAST week Taylor Swift met some of the survivors of the Southport knife rampage which left three girls dead.
The American superstar invited the children and their families to Wembley Stadium where she is performing five gigs, hugging some of the starstruck youngsters.
Appalled Swift, 34, released a statement hours after the tragedy. She said: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders.
“These were just little kids at a dance class.
“I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
She returned to the UK for the final five shows of the British leg of her Eras tour.
It is understood she greeted some of the youngsters inside Wembley at one of the gigs, at which they were handed special goody bags.
Floral tributes at the scene of the horror in Southport Reuters Grieving locals held a vigil last week AP Taylor Swift also met families caught up in the attack Getty
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