The Princess of Wales made a heartfelt return to public duties as she met with the families of the young victims of the July stabbing attack in Southport
and stepped out for an unannounced visit to Southport, where three children were killed in a July 29 mass at a -themed yoga and dance class.
On Oct. 10, the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, visited the town in England to show support for the community in the wake of the deadly attack. Although unannounced, William was expected to attend, and Kate decided to join him. The unexpected outing doubled as Princess Kate’s first public engagement since she announced on Sept. 9 that she completed , six months after she shared in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
Prince William and Princess Kate met with fire, ambulance, air ambulance and police services at the Southport Community Centre, and heard about the experience of responding to the tragic attack and how it impacted their mental health. Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, and the royals also spent time with mental health professionals who have been providing support to first responders in the months since.
Related:
The Prince and Princess of Wales also privately met with the families of the who died on July 29 and the dance teacher who was there when the attack happened. Ten other people were in the mass stabbing, and a 17-year-old boy has since been charged with the murder of the three girls.
PEOPLE understands that Prince William and Princess Kate wanted to visit Southport to show the community they have not been forgotten and that they’ll continue to stand by them.
The Princess of Wales joined her husband in order to show support and empathy to the community and the victims’ families. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who share three children, issued a at the time of the stabbings which referenced their perspective as parents.
“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,” it began.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
After the July 29 tragedy, the National Police and Wellbeing Service created a fundraiser for those involved in the immediate response, which was supported by Prince William and Princess Kate’s charitable Royal Foundation.
Prince William is a retired Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot and previously served with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and the mental health of emergency responders is a cause close to his heart.
It was significant to see Princess Kate in Southport on Oct. 10, and the princess may undertake a schedule of light engagements for the rest of the year. Meetings around her work in the early years sector and her traditional Christmas carol concert have been listed in the Court Circular, and it’s thought that she hopes to attend Remembrance Sunday services with her family on Nov. 10.
The Princess of Wales was at a Windsor Castle meeting on Oct. 2, where she met a 16-year-old photographer navigating a rare and aggressive form of cancer who Prince William invited to photograph the investiture ceremonies he held earlier that day.
Prince William and Princess Kate’s visit to Southport follows ‘ poignant trip there on Aug. 20, some of the families affected by the tragedy and other local groups and faith leaders impacted by the violence.
Palace sources confirmed to PEOPLE that the King planned to met privately with the victims’ families in London on Aug. 21.
For more People news, make sure to
Read the original article on .
This article originally appeared on www.aol.com: www.aol.com https://www.aol.com/kate-middleton-makes-surprise-public-152728728.html