King Charles was presented with a small red pocket heart by a young boy during his visit to Southport on Tuesday, as he paid tribute to the victims of the July stabbings that killed three young girls. The monarch, 75, was greeting well-wishers when the child offered the gift, explaining he had bought it in a shop. The King patted the boy on the head and said, 'That's very kind.'
The visit came after the King released a statement expressing his shock at the 'utterly horrific incident' on July 29, when three girls—Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine—were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop at the Hart Space Community Centre. Ten others were seriously injured.
Upon arrival at Southport Town Hall, the King viewed a large makeshift memorial of flowers, plants, and cuddly toys, gesturing in appreciation at its scale. He told one woman, 'Look at all the flowers,' and expressed hope that people had not been waiting too long. The monarch then held a private meeting with survivors, their families, and family liaison officers supporting those affected.
The King was greeted with cheers and applause from the gathered crowds, with one member of the public giving three cheers and another shouting 'thank you for coming.' He shook hands with many and affectionately patted a young girl on the shoulder. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to meet the bereaved families in London.
