King Charles to meet child survivors from Southport knife attack as he visits town rocked by horror
KING Charles is to meet child survivors of the Southport knife attacks today.
The King, 75, has broken off his summer holiday to visit Southport where he will express continued support to the town after the tragic deaths and subsequent riots.
He will meet local residents outside Southport’s Town Hall.
Then 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.”
Last week, Swift reached out to the families of the children caught up in the Southport attack.
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.