Kate Middleton has made her first public appearance since completing her chemotherapy last month.
The Princess of Wales joined her husband, Prince William, both 42, in Southport on Thursday to visit with the families of the three girls who lost their lives in the July knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The royal couple privately met with the families of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9.
The future king and queen also spent time with the dance teacher, Leanne Lucas, 35, who was injured as she shielded her students during the attack.
Afterward, Kate and William went to a local community center to speak with emergency personnel who had responded to the attack that day. They met with mental health practitioners who have been working to deliver support to the blue light community in Southport.
Per the Daily Mail, Kate joined her husband to “show her support, empathy and compassion to the local community.”
At the time of the heinous crime, the royals shared a statement expressing their shock and sympathy for those affected.
The princess wrote: “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.”
Earlier this month, Kate and William shared a touching moment with a young woman battling cancer at Windsor Castle.
They shared photos on their official Instagram account of a meeting with Liz, a 16-year-old aspiring photographer from Harrogate, England, who was diagnosed with cancer in January.
Liz has a desmoplastic small round cell tumor, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and was given between six months and three years to live, per the BBC.
The prince invited Liz to photograph the investiture ceremony he was hosting as part of her “photography bucket list.”
“A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us,” read the caption on their social media post.
In September, Kate announced she was cancer-free.
“I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she announced in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on September 9.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”
The mother of three had been largely out of the spotlight after revealing she was being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer in March.
Kate added she is “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”
The princess also thanked those who have supported her on her journey.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,” she wrote.
“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.
“Despite all that has gone before I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life,” noted Kate.
