King to meet Southport stabbing survivors

UK

The King will meet some of the children who survived the Southport knife attack in a visit to show his support to the community.

The monarch is set to 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.

He will then carry out a public visit to Southport’s town hall to meet other members of the community to talk about the attack and the riots that followed the tragedy.

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

Visiting Southport Community fire station, 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.

Three children, six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, died as a result of the attack at The Hart Space community centre.

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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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2:27

From 9 August: King praises police efforts to ‘restore peace’

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.

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