NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
Kate Middleton<\/a>\u00a0and Prince William<\/a>\u00a0left their emotional visit to Southport with matching mementos.\n<\/p>\n The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, made an unannounced visit to the small town near Liverpool on Sept. 23 to continue their support for the grieving families and schoolchildren affected by last year’s horrific knife attack at a\u00a0Taylor Swift<\/a>-themed dance class.\n<\/p>\n On July 29, 2024, three girls \u2014 Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9 \u2014 were killed as they took part in the class at the Hart Space dance studio. In January 2025,\u00a0Axel Rudakubana<\/a>, 18, was\u00a0sentenced to life in prison<\/a>\u00a0with a minimum of 52 years after admitting to his role in the deadly attack.\n<\/p>\n Kate and William toured the girls’ schools and met privately with each of their families. It was Bebe’s mom, Lauren King, who gifted the couple with a special keepsake in her daughter’s memory: matching friendship bracelets that spelled out “Bebe’s Hive,” a grief support charity for children<\/a> founded in the young girl’s name.\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt meant everything,” Lauren told GB News<\/a> of her moment with the royal couple. “It was really special.”\n<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re really grateful anyway how Bebe\u2019s been honored so much in this school, and seeing the prince and princess support that and be here has been just amazing,\u201d she added.\n<\/p>\n Prince William wears a bracelet that reads “Bebe’s Hive,” in honor of stabbing victim Bebe King, as he visits Southport on Sept. 23, 2025.<\/p>\n PHIL NOBLE\/POOL\/AFP via Getty\u00a0<\/p>\n Princess Kate and Prince William continued to wear the bracelets throughout the day, including when they toured a new playground at Bebe and Alice’s school, Churchtown Primary School, which was built in the girls’ memory. It features plenty of areas for play, including a climbing frame and a cycle track, as well as quiet reflection, like the indoor and outdoor library.\n<\/p>\n Speaking to the families and fellow students of the young victims, William said, “This playground is a symbol of how the community have come together to create such a positive place\u00a0for the pupils of this school \u2014\u00a0a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy.”\n<\/p>\n “Many lives were changed on that terrible day \u2013 including countless members of this school community. Bebe, Alice and Elsie\u2019s friends and classmates have come together to support each other and remember the girls in their own way,” he continued. “To everyone impacted on that day, you will never be forgotten. Enjoy this playground.\u00a0Be brave, be joyful and be kind.”\n<\/p>\n Prince William and Kate Middleton wear matching bracelets gifted to them by the mother of Southport stabbing victim Bebe King on Sept. 23. 2025.<\/p>\n Phil Noble – WPA Pool\/Getty<\/p>\n Addressing the girls’ parents directly, the Prince of Wales added, “You are parents united in grief. You have faced such horror \u2014 but from that, you move forward with grace and fortitude, creating the most remarkable legacies for your girls. We will always be here to support you.”\n<\/p>\n Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter<\/a> to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Following the initial news of the tragic attack, William and Kate \u2014 parents to\u00a0Prince George<\/a>, 12,\u00a0Princess Charlotte<\/a>, 10, and\u00a0Prince Louis<\/a>, 7\u00a0\u2014 issued a\u00a0statement of sympathy<\/a>: “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.”<\/p>\n