WILLIAM'S EMOTIONAL VOW

The Prince and Princess of Wales support bereaved parents in Southport as the future King demonstrates a new type of royal compassion

- EMILY NASH

He has spoken of the need for more empathetic leadership in the world and how it can make a difference to people's lives.

And the Prince of Wales knows all too well the devastation that losing a loved one can bring to a family.

So as the Prince and Princess returned to Southport last week to meet the parents of the three girls who died in a knife attack in July 2024, they couldn't fail to be deeply moved.

Eleven months on from their first visit to the seaside town, which was shattered by the deaths of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, the couple showed their ongoing commitment to the community, spending time with some of those most affected and learning how they are being helped through their trauma.

Wearing friendship bracelets bearing the name of the youngest victim, given to them by Bebe's parents, Lauren and Ben King, William and Kate stood shoulder to shoulder with the families as the Prince vowed: "We will always be here to support you."

SIGNIFICANT MOMENT

It was a message that meant a lot to those listening, but also gave an insight into how the Prince wants to use his public role for good.

"He isn't someone who wears his heart on his sleeve in public - he's not overly emotional - but it was a very open show of compassion for the Southport families and the school community," says the BBC's royal correspondent, Daniela Relph.

"Southport was an example of connecting with an event that shocked the country, showing that he and the Princess understood the anguish of that community and promising to support them.