'It's so special': William and Kate pay emotional visit to Southport schools following fatal attack

Rob Smith reports on the Prince and Princess of Wales visit to Southport

The Prince and Princess of Wales have spent time in Southport to show their support for families and the community after last summer’s fatal knife attack.

William visited Churchtown Primary School which was attended by Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguiar, having earlier visited Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School with Kate, where Elsie Dot Stancombe was a pupil.

Elsie, 7, Bebe King, 6, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9 were killed at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.

Eight other children and two adults were injured in the knife attack on 29 July last year.

The royal couple spent more than an hour at Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School before attending a private meeting with Elsie's parents Jenni, 36, and David Stancombe, 37.

They were greeted by hundreds of children waving Union flags as they arrived.

Jenni Sephton, head teacher of the Farnborough Road Infant school said: "It's made such a big difference.

"It was something that Jenni and David wanted them to do right from the beginning.

"It was around the recognition of what staff have done, how they have supported the family, how they have supported the children going forward.

"And it’s just real recognition that they value Jenni and David but they have also listened. It’s just so special."

Adrian Antell, head of the attached junior school, added: "I would like to thank the royal couple for coming today and for coming to our school and for coming to Farnborough Road and recognising what we did.

"They spoke so wonderfully about what this community has done together, and they thanked this community for the work they have done, I think that’s really important we get that out."

Both royals spoke to members of the student council at the school.

The children had only been told minutes before about the Prince and Princess of Wales visiting.

Ellis Paynter, 10, was among the children who greeted the royal visitors, he said: "We were shocked! I was like, 'We get to talk to the Prince?"

Ten-year-old Zainah Thompson also said: "We were all very nervous. We talked about what our favourite lessons were.

"He said he wasn’t good at maths, but said it’s a good subject to learn.

The children added: "They chatted to us about our community and about all the different things we've done for charity.

One of the children said they "knew it was a big deal" and their parents "probably won't believe us when we tell them.

"I didn't know what to do!"

Another student emphasised the importance of the day, he said: "We need to share the message about community and belonging together like our motto. Belonging together, learning together, and achieving together."

The Prince and Princess of Wales then visited children and staff at Churchtown Primary School, where William told pupils to "be brave, be joyful and be kind."

A playground built in the memory of the victims has just opened at the school, and the couple were shown around.

In a speech in front of the school's 700 pupils, William said: "This playground is a symbol of how the community have come together to create such a positive place for the pupils of this school – a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy.

"Many lives were changed on that terrible day – including countless members of this school community.

"Bebe, Alice and Elsie’s friends and classmates have come together to support each other and remember the girls in their own way."

He added: "To Alex and Sergio, Lauren and Ben, Jenni and David – you are parents united in grief. You have faced such horror – 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."

William and Kate also had private meetings with both Bebe and Alice's parents when they arrived at the school.

Speaking afterwards, Bebe's mother Lauren said: "It meant everything. It was really special.

"I think we’re really grateful anyway how Bebe’s been honoured so much in this school and seeing the Prince and Princess support that and be here has been just amazing."

For the rest of the visit the couple wore friendship bracelets given to them by Bebe's parents, Lauren and Ben King, that said Bebe's Hive, the name of the charity set up in her memory.

The parents of Alice da Silva Aguiar showed William and Kate the stage area, which had been built for students with a love of performing.

Alexandra Aguiar said: "Prince William asked if that would be her favourite place and I said 'yeah, she would have been dancing away'."

Her husband, Sergio Aguiar, added: "It's so special to have them here to support us."

William and Kate’s visit is the second time they have been to Southport in the wake of the attack and subsequent widespread rioting.

The royal couple delivered hugs and sympathy after meeting the families of the three girls on a visit to the town last October, where they also praised and thanked emergency workers who responded to the attack.