'We will always be here to support you'

AN emotional Prince and Princess of Wales said they were “incredibly struck” by how Southport has united after the murders of three children — and pledged they would always be there for the community.

- By Emily Ferguson

William and Kate had a private meeting with the families of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, who were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed class last July.

They also met dance teacher Leanne Lucas, who was critically injured in the attack and teaching assistant Heidi Liddle, who protected a child from Axel Rudakubana by hiding in a toilet.

Rudakubana, now 19, is serving a minimum 52-year jail term.

Kate and William, who first went to the Merseyside town last October, visited the two schools the victims attended.

At Churchtown Primary, a visibly moved William, 43, told children and staff to “be brave, be joyful and be kind” and vowed he and Kate would forever support them.

He praised the way classmates “have come together to support each other and remember the girls in their own way”.

Cheering

The prince and princess are said to care deeply about Southport and its bereaved families, and wanted to return.

At Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, where Elsie went, they were greeted with cheering pupils waving Union flags.

They spent time speaking to young members of the school council and Kate, 43, in grey trousers and a matching coat, made a beeline for the younger pupils, crouching down to speak to them.

The couple also spent about 20 minutes in an emotional private meeting with Elsie’s parents, Jenni and David.