Everyone is saying the same thing as Princess Kate steps out on first public engagement

Kate Middleton makes first official engagement with visit to Southport
-Credit: (Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool ECHO)


Kate Middleton and Prince William visited Southport yesterday, October 10, as they met with emergency responders who attended the stabbing that killed three schoolgirls and injured ten others. On Monday, July 29, emergency services descended onto Hart Street in Southport to reports of a stabbing during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

As a result of the tragic incident, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King lost their lives and eight children and two adults suffered injuries. After spending around 90 minutes with the families the Royal couple walked the short distance to Southport Community Centre where they joined emergency responders involved in the attack to hear about their experiences and meet health practitioners supporting the “blue light” community in Southport.

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The unannounced trip to Merseyside was William and Kate’s first joint official outing since her course of chemotherapy cancer treatment ended in the summer. It is understood the engagement was planned as a solo visit for William but Kate decided to join her husband in order to show her support, empathy and compassion for the local community.

The princess has been slowly returning to a light programme of public duties following her announcement four weeks ago that her course of chemotherapy had ended and her focus would be “doing what I can to stay cancer free.'' Kate wore a long brown coat and heels with her hair down and curled and William wore a suit of similar colours.

Taking to the Facebook comments fans commented on Princess Kate's appearance. Elaine said: ''she is looking well'' and Kate wrote ''lovely Kate.''

Commenters seemed to be saying the same thing as Aud added: ''She is so lovely inside and out.'' James left a heartfelt tribute to Kate saying ''Beautiful photo of our future Queen.''

The princess broke royal protocol during the visit to Southport after emotional encounters with families and emergency workers. Traditionally people aren't allowed to touch a Royal unless one offered their hand. However, during yesterday's visit, Princess Kate hugged several of the emergency responders. Chief fire officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Phil Garrigan said he had a “really lovely fleeting conversation” with William and Kate after they had spoken to the group of emergency personnel.

He said: “The Princess of Wales broke off and came back into the building to give a hug to the people who responded because she could see the emotion in them and could see it was difficult for them to relay their feelings and to say how impactful events have been I think that just shows a really caring side and is very, very touching for them.”