The Princess of Wales has joined her husband in Southport today, marking her first in-person engagement since she revealed she had completed her chemotherapy.

Princess Kate made a surprise visit to Southport with her husband yesterday to meet the families of the three young girls who were killed in July’s horror stabbing.

Although Kate, 42, has attended public engagements this year, such as Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, her visit to the grieving Merseyside town marks her first community engagement since last December.

She wasn’t originally due to join Prince William in Southport on Thursday, but just ahead of his arrival Kensington Palace announced that Kate had decided to join him.

It is understood that she wanted to “show her support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.

The couple privately met the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, who were all killed in the knife rampage that took place on July 29, as the children attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop.

The Princess of Wales beams on the surprise visit to Southport (Image: PA)

The Prince and Princess of Wales speaks with a critical care paramedic from the Air Ambulance (Image: PA)

They also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was critically wounded after being stabbed in the neck, back and arms as she fought to protect her class.

After spending around 90 minutes with the families they walked the short distance to Southport Community Centre where they joined emergency responders involved in the attack to hear about their experiences and meet health practitioners supporting the “blue light” community in Southport.

Willam told the personnel “you’re all heroes” as the couple sat side by side on a bench and comforted tearful fire crews, police officers and paramedics who recalled the traumatic events of that day.

Kate, who wore a long brown coat and heels with her hair down and curled, asked what mental health support has been available to them, adding: “For you to witness that, you need support yourselves.”

One police officer told the couple of suffering anxiety following the attack and being off work.

Kate and William nodded as they listened to the experiences.

The Princess of Wales speaks to members of the emergency services during a visit to Southport (Image: PA)

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak to members of the emergency services (Image: PA)

Referencing the earlier meeting with the families of those who died in the attack, the Princess said: “I can’t underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day.

“On behalf of them, thank you.”

Asked how the families were coping, Kate said they are all coping in different ways.

“They’re ok,” she said. “They’re managing it differently. All the families are so different. Individually too they are managing it and processing this tragic event in very different ways but they’re getting support from families and officers and things like that.”

William added: “You’re all heroes. Please make sure you look after yourselves, please take your time, don’t rush back to work.”

He then lightened the mood by insisting “get inside and get yourself a cup of tea to get warm” after a 30-minute meeting in the community centre’s garden.

Kate rested a hand on William’s back as she joined him to speak to a member of air ambulance crew.

The Prince and Princess of Wales sit down to chat to the first responders (Image: PA)

Speaking afterwards, Chief fire officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Phil Garrigan said that Kate had been so moved by what she had heard that she went back to give the emergency responders a hug.
He said: “The Princess of Wales broke off and came back into the building to give a hug to the people who responded because she could see the emotion in them and could see it was difficult for them to relay their feelings and to say how impactful events have been.
“I think that just shows a really caring side and is very, very touching for them.”

Former chief constable Andy Rhodes, who is involved in The Royal Foundation’s Blue Light Together programme, said the visit had been a “massive boost” to emergency workers.

William and Kate’s visit follows a similar engagement held by the King in August when he also met the bereaved families and emergency workers.

Following the attack in the summer, the prince and princess issued a statement saying: “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.

“We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.”

Through their Royal Foundation they also made a donation to the National Police Wellbeing Service’s fundraiser to help fast-track psychological and physical rehab for police and ambulance personnel.

The couple have long been supports of mental health and it’s no coincidence that their visit to Southport fell on World Mental Health Day.

Ensuring emergency responders receive long-term mental health support following traumatic events is a cause close to the heart of The Prince of Wales, given his first-hand experience as an emergency responder while serving as a pilot with RAF search and rescue and East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Princess Kate was pictured last week hugging a teenager with cancer (Image: KP)

Princess Kate revealed she had completed her chemotherapy last month (Image: PA)

Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 years old at the time and has now turned 18, has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Earlier on Thursday, Sarah Ferguson praised the Princess of Wales for “showing the world what it is to really look after yourself”.

The duchess of York, appearing on ITV1’s This Morning, told how she was “so moved” by Kate’s video last month announcing the end of her cancer treatment.

The duchess described the footage as “just incredible” and added: “I think that’s extraordinary, what’s she doing.”

Fergie, who was herself diagnosed with skin cancer in January after being treated for breast cancer last year, told presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard: “The video that the princess did was just incredible. I was so moved. It was beautiful.”

Yesterday’s visit marks Kate’s first public engagement since she announced that she has completed her course of chemotherapy.

In an emotional video message, the royal said she would begin doing more work but would only be carrying out light public duties as she continues her recovery.

She is expected to attend the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph on November 10, and plans to attend her annual Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey the following month.