IN THE WAKE OF TRAGEDY IN SOUTHPORT THE KING - SUPPORTS THE PARENTS OF THE YOUNG VICTIMS AND MOURNS WITH A COMMUNITY IN SHOCK

In what could only have been a highly emotional meeting, the King last week met the families of three young girls killed in a knife attack in Southport. Hosting the event at his London home Clarence House, His Majesty sat down with the grieving parents of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, who were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July.

- PHOEBE TATHAM

The King met them privately the day after his visit to the Merseyside town, where he showed his support for the families and the town following the tragic deaths and rioting that followed.

During the engagement His Majesty spent 45 minutes with some of the children who survived the attack and their families in private at Southport Town Hall, as well as the police liaison team working with them. He also spent time with representatives from Merseyside’s emergency services and community groups at the Southport Community Fire Station.

At the town hall, Charles was met by cheering crowds. He paused to greet well-wishers and looked at some of the floral tributes, cuddly toys, balloons and messages that had been left outside in memory of the three young girls who had died.