KING OF HEARTS
King Charles meets child survivors of Southport knife attack and visits sea of heartbreaking tributes after town rocked
Charles said he was 'profoundly shocked' by the horror attack
KING Charles has met child survivors of the horrific Southport knife attack and visited a sea of heartbreaking tributes.
The King, 75, broke off his summer holiday to express continued support to the town after the tragic deaths and subsequent riots.
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Bebe King, six, was killed along with Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town on 29 July.
Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured in the knife rampage.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, is charged with three murders and 10 counts of attempted murder.
On arrival at Southport town hall today, Charles was greeted by Dr Ruth Hussey, the vice lord lieutenant of Merseyside, and counsellor June Burns, the mayor of Sefton.
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He then viewed a large makeshift memorial dedicated to the victims, gesturing in appreciation at the scale of it.
One member of the public gave him three cheers and another shouted “thank you for coming” as he greeted the crowds.
The King affectionately patted one young girl on the shoulder as he shook hands with many of the hundreds gathered to see him.
He told one woman: “Look at all the flowers” and said he hoped people had not been waiting too long.
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The colourful display of flowers, plants and cuddly toys outside the town hall has been maintained ever since the attacks.
The soft bears and dolls have been regularly collected by local volunteers and redistributed in dry weather.
Three girls killed in Southport stabbing named as tributes paid to Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Aguiar
The King was then shown inside to meet the children and adults who witnessed last month’s attack as well as the family liasion officers who have been supporting those affected.
He also held a private meeting with some of those affected including some of the surviving children who were present at the Hart Space Community Centre, and their families.
The King spent around half an hour with the survivors and their families before signing a book of condolence that was opened shortly after the attack.
In it, he used his own fountain pen to write his name and the date, adding “In deepest sympathy.”
He was then introduced to several local volunteers and business owners who have dedicated time and resources to the community.
They included several people who have been maintaining the floral tributes, trimming, arranging and watering the flowers and collecting up the soft toys in the evenings and when it rains.
Jenna and Anthony Johnson, a brother and sister who run Treviso Ice Cream, were also introduced to the King.
They handed out free ice creams to residents living in the Sussex Road area near the mosque that was targeted in the riots.
Mr Johnson said afterwards: “It was nice for the children whose homes had been destroyed and they didn’t know why.
“It brought people out to chat together, creating a space where there was no fear. One little girl said she hadn’t left her house but came out to get an ice cream.”
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The King asked if their ice cream was Italian.
Faye Priestley, an account manager for Travis Perkins, organised donations of building supplies to those whose homes were damaged in the riots and also helped to mend the fence at the mosque.
She gave the King a Travis Perkins cap, prompting him to chuckle and say: “You get these sales people everywhere.”
Ms Priestley then gave him her business card, causing more laughter as the King said: “They should be very proud of you.”
A family member of six-year-old victim Bebe King told GB News she was "incredibly touched" by the King's visit.
Inside Southport Community Fire Station, the King also met local fire, police and ambulance heroes as well as local faith leaders.
The King also did a walkabout, shaking hands with the many members of the public who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of him and thank him for visiting.
One little boy, Max, eight, gave him a small red silk heart he had made himself, prompting the King to gently pat his head in thanks.
The monarch was also given some pink hearts crocheted by a woman called June who asked him to “give them to Kate and Charlotte”.
“I will,” he promised.
The crowd clapped and cheered as the King slowly made his way along the barriers, accepting small gifts as many locals told him how much they appreciated his visit.
“Thank you for breaking your holiday, Sir,” one woman said.
“Thank you so much for coming, it means an awful lot,” said another.
Tomorrow Charles will meet the families who were bereaved by the attack in London.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have said they are "profoundly shocked" in a statement they released following a knife attack last month.
The King later praised ordinary Brits who rose up against far-right hate in the wake of the Southport stabbings.
He praised the way in which 'the aggression and criminality from a few' had been met by 'the compassion and resilience of the many'.
And spoke warmly of the 'many examples of community spirit' that have thwarted attempts to instil hate and fear in communities across Britain during a call with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
He also spoke to police chiefs about the strain their officers have been under.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "This evening The King held a phone audience with the Prime Minister, and additionally had a joint call with the Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex.
"In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder.
"Additionally, The King shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many.
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"It remains His Majesty's hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation."
The King moved into Balmoral, in Scotland, on Monday, to begin his summer break.
Taylor Swift meets children involved in Southport knife attack after reaching out to families
LAST week Taylor Swift met some of the survivors of the Southport knife rampage which left three girls dead.
The American superstar invited the children and their families to Wembley Stadium where she is performing five gigs, hugging some of the starstruck youngsters.
Appalled Swift, 34, released a statement hours after the tragedy. She said: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders.
“These were just little kids at a dance class.
“I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Last week, Swift reached out to the families of the children caught up in the Southport attack.
She returned to the UK for the final five shows of the British leg of her Eras tour.
It is understood she greeted some of the youngsters inside Wembley at one of the gigs, at which they were handed special goody bags.
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