The Prince and Princess of Wales returned to Southport today, the community where three little girls were murdered as they took part in a community dance class last July. 
We learn more from The Telegraph’s story by Hannah Furness.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, aged nine, Bebe King, six, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were killed as they played at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in July last year.
Eight other children and two adults – Leanne Lucas, the dance class leader, and Jonathan Hayes, a businessman who ran to help – were seriously wounded after Axel Rudakubana launched a knife attack.
You may recall the royal couple visited Southport last October, the Princess’s first public community engagement following surgery and chemotherapy. 
Below are photos of the girls as shared by a journalist at the time of the attack.
The Prince and Princess visited two schools as part of their commitment to ongoing support for the community. Above, and below, you see them at Farnborough Road Infant School with Adrian Antell, Head of the Junior School, and Infant School Headteacher Jennifer Sephton (partially obscured in this next image by Mr. Antell).
They were welcomed by hundreds of children at Farnborough, where seven-year-old Elsie was a student. 
More from Hello’s coverage.
Kate made a beeline for the younger pupils, crouching down to speak to them, while William chatted to the older children, reveals Royal Editor, Emily Nash.
“He talked about what our favourite lessons were and our favourite lunch menus,” said Jessica Hazelhurst, 10.
“And he really wanted brownies on the menu. He loves Brownies, so we’re on the same team,” added Ellis Paynter, also 10.
The Telegraph notes, ‘The Princess was heard telling the infant school pupils: “I’m very impressed with all of you and all the hard work you’re doing.” What a fantastic thing to learn to raise money to help other people. Keep up your hard work.’”
More from the Daily Mail’s coverage.
Inside, William and Kate spoke to teachers about how the school was affected by the tragedy and the support it has provided to pupils, staff and the local community.
The Prince and Princess spent around 20 minutes in an ’emotional’ private meeting with Jenni and David Stancombe, who then introduced them to some of the teachers and teaching assistants who had known Elsie. Along with Alice’s father Sergio Aguiar, David ran the London Marathon in April in memory of their daughters and the Prince and Princess donated to their fundraising efforts.
We return to the Mail’s article to learn about fundraising efforts.
The royal couple had also spent time chatting to Jennie, who is head of the Infants School, and Junior School headteacher Adrian Antell and heard how both had taken part in a skydive to raise funds for Elsie’s story.
‘You went skydivng?!’ asked William, clearly impressed. ‘Oh no! First time for both of you, I take it?’ Asked if he had ever done one, he said: ‘I’ve parachuted, I’ve not skydived. I’ve parachuted into the sea.
‘Would you do it again?’ he asked, laughing when Jennie revealed she had already done so. ‘I could see your eyes there, you’re looking like, ‘oh I quite liked the adrenaline rush’,’ he told her.
Below, a wave goodbye to the Farnborough students. 
The royals then visited Churchtown Primary School, where Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguiar attended classes. 
They saw a new playground built to commemorate the memory of the girls. More from this BBC story.
The library and stage in the playground are intended to celebrate Alice and Bebe’s shared love of books, creativity, and performing.
Mr Aguiar, who ran the London Marathon to raise funds for the playground, said it “meant a lot” that there would be a lasting tribute to the girls at the school where they were pupils.
“They are always going to be a part of this school,” he said.
The royals were given a special piece of jewelry during their visit. We turn to this People article for more.
It was Bebe’s mom, Lauren King, who gifted the couple with a special keepsake in her daughter’s memory: matching friendship bracelets that spelled out “Bebe’s Hive,” a grief support charity for children founded in the young girl’s name.
“It meant everything,” Lauren told GB News of her moment with the royal couple. “It was really special.”
“I think we’re really grateful anyway how Bebe’s been honored so much in this school, and seeing the prince and princess support that and be here has been just amazing,” she added.
Here you see close-up photos of the bracelets.
The Prince and Princess spent time with students. 
They also saw artwork created by students. More from The Express.
…the prince and princess joined some of Alice’s classmates in the school library to discuss the art therapy that has helped the now Year 6 pupils, aged between nine and ten, cope with such a traumatic experience.
The children point out three pictures on the wall which they had worked on together as a ‘emotional journey piece’.
The Independent reports, “After hearing some of the children speak about how the artwork reflected their emotions, Kate said: ‘It’s very unusual for young people to be able to express bad and hard and difficult emotions like you’ve done, and actually doing it through art is really clever, but really expressive.’” Here is a quick video via Chris Ship of ITV.
The children spoke to the Prince and Princess of Wales about the pain of grief. And how they have tried to overcome it. pic.twitter.com/as7OTJmP2v
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 23, 2025
Another image of the couple with students. 
Prince William delivered remarks at Churchtown. 
From his speech.
This playground is a symbol of how the community has come together to create such a positive space for the pupils of this school – a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy.
You have faced such horror – but from that you move forward with grace and fortitude – creating the most remarkable legacies for your girls. We will always be here to support you.
To everyone impacted on that day you will never be forgotten. Enjoy this playground.
Be brave, be joyful and be kind.
Here is one more image from the new playground. 
Here is a video posted by Kensington Palace after the engagements.
To everyone in the Southport community affected by the incident last year, you will never be forgotten – and the legacy of love and kindness built here will continue to bring people together for years to come and honour the memories of Bebe, Alice and Elsie. pic.twitter.com/CMQMGBiE0n
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 23, 2025
Now, we turn to our look at what Kate wore. 
The Princess debuted a new outerwear look from Jigsaw, the British retailer’s signature Maxi City Coat ($435 on sale, originally $660). The coat is 100% wool with a recycled nylon lining. It features notched wide lapels, flap pockets, and a center back vent.
The grey appears to be sold out, but it is available in brown, purple, and taupe ($485). Thank you to Ellie for this ID.
The Princess repeated her soft pink Burberry blouse, first noted during the December 2022 trip to Boston. The bespoke Silk Crepe de Chine Tie-Neck Blouse features a bow at the neck and long sleeves.
She carried her Smythson Mini Lytton Bag ($1195), which was initially seen in photos of her out and about in Notting Hill in January. It is made of grained calf leather and measures about 9″ x 7″ x 3″ deep, with a removable and adjustable crossbody strap. 
We saw the Princess’s Hugo Boss ‘Staple’ Heels again, a point-toe style in ‘anthracite’ leather with a stiletto heel.
The Princess brought back her Annoushka Baroque Pearl Drops ($535), although I’m not 100% sure about the hoops she wore with the drops. The pearls are often paired with the Kiki McDonough hoops (£ 1700, approximately $2300 at today’s exchange rates), shown in the photo second from the left. It could just be the lighting, but they almost look like the original Annoushka hoops (photo shown second from right) with their blackened gold surface. 
VIDEOS:
The Royal Family Channel has coverage of the Farnborough School visit here.
And coverage of the Churchtown visit is offered in this video.
