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Agence France-Presse

King Charles offered his “deepest” sympathies on Tuesday as he met survivors of a devastating UK knife attack that killed three young girls and sparked nationwide anti-immigration riots.
The 75-year-old monarch inspected a vast sea of floral tributes laid outside Southport town hall in memory of the victims – Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.
All three died in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town just over three weeks ago, which also left 10 people injured, eight of them children.
As well as the children, the king also met their families and police liaison officers working with them.
Buckingham Palace said he also wanted to thank “frontline emergency staff for their ongoing work serving local people”.
Charles had earlier been criticised by some for not issuing a public statement on the riots.
Although the monarch conveyed his condolences to the families of the three girls killed, he did not comment on the unrest until nearly two weeks later.

Traditionally, the monarch does not comment on anything that could cause political controversy.
But in calls with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and police chiefs, the king later said he had been “greatly encouraged” by the reaction “that countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many”.
Charles spent about 45 minutes meeting survivors before signing a book of condolence in the town hall.
He signed his name, adding: “In deepest sympathy.”
Outside the building before he left, he met members of the community who had helped in the aftermath of the attack.
Joanne Martlew, a retired emergency service worker who helped survivors after coming across the aftermath of the attack, said it had been “brilliant to see the King”.
Helen Marshall, 71, a member of a gardening group looking after the many floral tributes, added that his visit was “very important” to the seaside town.
“We’re under a cloud, and we need something to boost morale,” she said.
“The last few weeks have been devastating, but the community spirit is the thing keeping us going,” she said.
The children were attending the dance class at the start of the school summer holidays when an assailant entered the building and began attacking them.
Axel Rudakubana, who was aged 17 at the time, has been charged with murder and attempted murder over the stabbing spree.


A motive for the atrocity has not been disclosed, but police have said it is not being treated as terror-related.
More than a dozen English towns and cities saw unrest and riots in the week that followed the events in Southport.
Officials have blamed far-right elements for helping to stir up the disorder, which targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, as well as police officers and other properties.
The authorities have cited misinformation spread online that Rudakubana was a Muslim asylum seeker for fuelling the violence.
He was actually born in Britain to parents who hail from Rwanda, an overwhelmingly Christian country.
The riots have led to more than a thousand arrests and hundreds of convictions, after Prime Minister Starmer vowed those who took part would be quickly called to account.
The king is due to meet with the three bereaved families in London on Wednesday.


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Britain

UK’s King Charles meets survivors of Southport child stabbings that sparked riots

Britain’s King Charles meets with people affected by and family members of the victims of a mass stabbing attack in Southport, Britain, on August 20. Photo: Reuters

A woman looks at tributes that are left the Atkinson art centre in Southport, England after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. Photo: AP

King Charles praises anti-racism demonstrators during far-right violence in the UK

Britain’s King Charles talks with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, UK, on July 18, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Mounted police prepare for a far-right anti-immigration protest in Newcastle, England, on Saturday. Photo: AP

UK police prepare for more violent protests as Chinese embassy issues safety advisory

Riot police push back anti-migration protesters in Rotherham on Sunday. Photo: TNS

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photo: AFP

Police officers face off with protesters in Weymouth, on the southwest coast of England, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

A police dog attacks a protester in Rotherham, Britain, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

English town of Southport mourns 9-year-old stabbing victim, calls for end to unrest

Alexandra and Sergio Aguiar, the parents of Alice da Silva Aguiar, stand near her coffin at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Southport, UK on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

The coffin of Alice da Silva Aguiar on a horse-drawn carriage near St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport, UK on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Alice da Silva Aguiar at the Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport, UK on July 29. Photo: Family photo via AP

UK riots test Keir Starmer in his first month as prime minister

Protestors throw a garbage bin on fire outside a hotel in Rotherham, Britain, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Police detain an anti-immigration demonstrator in Manchester, Britain, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Taylor Swift ‘in shock’ after 3 children killed in attack at UK dance class of her music

Instagram/ @taylorswift

Taylor Swift’s message on Instagram following a deadly stabbing in the UK. Photo: Instagram@taylorswift

Emergency services work near the scene of a knife attack where two children died and nine were injured. Photo: dpa

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Charles had been criticised for not issuing a statement on the riots. Traditionally, the monarch doesn’t comment on controversial items


Charles had been criticised for not issuing a statement on the riots. Traditionally, the monarch doesn’t comment on controversial items.
