Kate Middleton Makes Surprise Public Appearance Alongside Prince William in First Outing Post-Chemo

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamstepped out for an unannounced visit to Southport, where three children were killed in a July 29 massstabbingat aTaylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class.

On Oct. 10, the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, visited the town in England to show support for the community in the wake of the deadly attack. Although unannounced, William was expected to attend, and Kate decided to join him. The unexpected outing doubled as Princess Kate’s first public engagement since she announced on Sept. 9 that she completedchemotherapy treatment, six months after she shared in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Kate is undertaking a light schedule of public engagements in the final months of the year, PEOPLE understands. A few events—primarily focused on her Early Years initiative and her Christmas Carol Service—have been included in the official royal calendar, known as the court circular. She hopes to join her family for Remembrance Sunday, if her circumstances allow.

Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for a visit to Southport Community Centre in Southport, north west England on October 10, 2024, where they met rescue workers and the families of those caught up in the Southport knife attack earlier this year.DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

Prince William and Princess Kate met with fire, ambulance, air ambulance and police services at the Southport Community Centre, and heard about the experience of responding to the tragic attack and how it impacted their mental health. Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, and the royals also spent time with mental health professionals who have been providing support to first responders in the months since.

Kate Middleton visits Southport on Oct. 10, 2024.DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

The Prince and Princess of Wales also privately met with the families of thethree childrenwho died on July 29 and the dance teacher who was there when the attack happened. Ten other people werealso injuredin the mass stabbing, and a 17-year-old boy has since been charged with the murder of the three girls.

Prince William and Kate Middleton walk during a visit to Southport Community Centre in Southport, north west England on October 10, 2024, where they met rescue workers and the families of those caught up in the Southport knife attack earlier this year.DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

Kate Middleton on Oct. 10, 2024.DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

The Princess of Wales joined her husband in order to show support and empathy to the community and the victims' families. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who share three children, issued astatement of sympathyat the time of the stabbings which referenced their perspective as parents.

Kate Middleton and Prince William speak to members of the emergency services during a visit to Southport Community Centre in Southport, north west England on October 10, 2024.DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

“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,” it began.

Kate Middleton and Prince William in Southport on Oct. 10, 2024.Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

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Kate Middleton and Prince William in Southport on Oct. 10, 2024.DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

Prince William is a retired Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot and previously served with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and the mental health of emergency responders is a cause close to his heart.

The Princess of Wales wasmost recently seenat a Windsor Castle meeting on Oct. 2, where she met a 16-year-old photographer navigating a rare and aggressive form of cancer who Prince William invited to photograph the investiture ceremonies he held earlier that day.

Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Southport on Oct. 10, 2024.Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Palace sources confirmed to PEOPLE that the King planned to met privately with the victims' families in London on Aug. 21.

source: people.com