King Charles Makes Poignant Visit to Town Where 3 Girls Were Killed at Taylor Swift-Themed Dance Class

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles arrived with a wave for onlookers as he entered Southport’s town hall where he held a private meeting with families and some of the children who were at the event when the attack happened last month. Buckingham Palace announced the visit three hours earlier, bringing out crowds who cheered on his arrival.

King Charles visits Southport Town Hall on Aug. 20, 2024.PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty

King Charles III reacts as he views tributes outside Southport Town Hall, during his visit to meet with members of the local community, following the July 29 attack at a childrens' dance party, in Southport, northwest England

PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty

Three girls — Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9 — died in the attack. Palace sources confirmed to PEOPLE that King Charles will meet privately with the girls' families in London on Aug. 21.

Several other children were injured in the attack, as were two adults who intervened.

King Charles visits Southport on Aug. 20, 2024.Jan Kruger/Getty

King Charles III reacts as he views the floral tributes for the victims of the Southport stabbings outside Southport Town Hall during his visit to meet local community and emergency services on August 20, 2024 in Southport, England

Jan Kruger/Getty

Merseyside police said on July 30 that more than 50 officers were hurt during what they called a “disorder." Those involved in the violence destroyed garden walls and used those bricks to throw at officers and a local mosque. The offenders also destroyed a convenience store and set fire to cars and trash cans.

King Charles views floral tributes in Southport on Aug. 20, 2024.Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty

King Charles III views the flowers and tributes outside the Atkinson Art Centre Southport ahead of his to meet members of the Southport community following the July 29th knife attack in the town, during which three young girls were killed

Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty

Staff from Merseyside’s police, fire and rescue and ambulance services also spoke about their roles in responding to recent events and protecting people in the area.

John Hayes, a 63-year-old businessman who was among the first people on the scene and injured in the attack on July 29,told the BBCthat King Charles' visit was a “lift” for those who met him.

“It was lovely to meet him. I found him quite engaging, quite easy to talk to,” Hayes said, noting that it was “very kind” of the monarch to travel from Scotland for the outing. The day prior on Aug. 19, King Charles wasofficially welcomed to Balmoral Castlein the Scottish Highlands, where the royals traditionally gather in the summer.

King Charles visits Southport Community Fire Station on Aug. 20, 2024.Jacob King/PA Images via Getty

King Charles III at Southport Community Fire Station meeting representatives from Merseyside’s emergency services and local community groups following the July 29th knife attack in the town, during which three young girls were killed.

Jacob King/PA Images via Getty

On July 30, Taylor Swift, 34,shared her sorrowat the deaths onInstagram Storiessaying she was “just completely in shock.” She invited survivors of the attack to join her backstage for a “magical night” during one of her Eras Tour stops in London,PEOPLE reported. Additionally, following the incident, Swift reportedly sent gifts and personalized balloons to the hospitalized victims.

Shortly after the event, the King, along withKate MiddletonandPrince William, issued statements expressing their sadness and shock.

King Charles visits Southport on Aug. 20, 2024.PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty

PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty

The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, wrote on social media, “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.”

They added, “Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”

King Charles visits the Community Fire Station in Southport on Aug. 20, 2024.SCOTT HEPPELL/POOL/AFP via Getty

King Charles III (C) meets with representatives from Merseyside’s emergency services and local community groups at the Community Fire Station in Southport, northwest England

SCOTT HEPPELL/POOL/AFP via Getty

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The flowers and tributes outside the Atkinson Art Centre in Southport ahead of King Charles' visit on Aug. 20, 2024.Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty

Flowers and tributes outside the Atkinson Art Centre Southport ahead of the visit by King Charles III to Southport to meet members of the Southport community following the July 29th knife attack in the town, during which three young girls were killed

King Charles has a long history of using his position to bring different faiths and communities together. Hitan Mehta, who in his position as a leader of the British Asian Trust has worked alongside the King,told PEOPLEthe royal “is a person who understands the United Kingdom and the diversity of this nation. He also understands the challenges in front of people here in the U.K.”

source: people.com

King Charles Makes Poignant Visit to Town Where 3 Girls Were Killed at Taylor Swift-Themed Dance Class

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