The Princess of Wales Wears Whistles and Alexander McQueen for Southport Engagement

Today, the Princess of Wales carried out her first public community engagement since her surgery and cancer diagnosis.

The Prince and Princess visited Southport, on England’s western coast between Liverpool and Blackpool. 

They were there to meet privately with the families of three little girls killed in a knife attack this July. Bebe King, age 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, age 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, age 9, were killed while taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class. The girls are shown in this social media post. 

One week ago today.
With all the craziness going on right now, please don’t forget these beautiful girls, their families, and the community of Southport.
Alice, Bebe and Elsie Dot ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/CUi29Jy3I3

— Claire Hannah (@Claire_journo) August 5, 2024

Eight other children and two adults were injured in the rampage. It was a horrific attack that rocked the community. The Prince and Princess personally posted a message about the incident on their social media pages.

Hola reports, “After the attack, the National Police and Wellbeing Service set up a fundraiser—which The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales made a donation to—to help individuals who were involved in the immediate response.”

Taylor Swift posted a message on her Instagram Story. 

King Charles visited the community in August, meeting with survivors and first responders.

This was the Prince and Princess’s first joint public engagement since December’s Christmas Carol concert. Here you see them being welcomed at Southport’s Community Center, where they met a four-legged friend.

The couple spent roughly thirty minutes with each of the three girls’ families. More about today’s engagement from The Telegraph’s story by Victoria Ward.

Later at Southport community centre, the couple met emergency responders who had helped the victims, as well as mental health practitioners who have been providing them with long-term support.

Both the Prince and Princess are understood to have felt it was important to visit Southport almost three months on to show the community that it has not been forgotten and that they will continue to offer their support.

The Daily Mail reports, “They also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was seriously injured as she shielded youngsters as they were attacked by a knifeman.”

More from this Sky News article by Rhiannon Mills. 

They met up with those members of the 999 services to hear their recollections of the day and spoke to police, ambulance and fire chiefs about the ongoing mental health support for staff.

Kate said the personnel had supported people during their “darkest times” and added: “For you to witness that, you need support yourselves.”

We return to the Sky News piece. 

Asked how the families are doing, Kate replied: “They’re OK. They’re managing it differently. All the families are so different.”

Referencing the meeting with the families of the three young girls who died in the attack she had attended earlier, Kate told the emergency workers: “I can’t underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day.

“On behalf of them, thank you.”

And from The Daily Mail’s coverage by Rebecca English and Tom Cotterill. 

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.

The Daily Mail also reports, “The Prince of Wales told the personnel: ‘You’re all heroes. Please make sure you look after yourselves, please take your time, don’t rush back to work.’ William called the emergency workers ‘true professionals’ and said they had a ‘bumpy few months’ ahead but would get through it together.”

Here is a quick video from Victoria Ward. 

The Princess of Wales made a last minute decision to join William in Southport today, privately meeting the families of the 3 young victims of July’s knife attack before joining emergency responders involved in the aftermath. It’s the 1st time she’s spoken in public since Dec ‘23 pic.twitter.com/3MyjPN7NCA

— Victoria Ward (@victoria_ward) October 10, 2024

And here is a video shared on Kensington Palace’s social media accounts. 

A heartfelt thank you to the people of Southport for talking about your experiences and honouring the young lives lost. In the face of tragedy, this community’s strength and resilience has been a powerful reminder of the bonds that unite us.

As the healing continues, take… pic.twitter.com/y0AfKWIqPR

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 10, 2024

The Prince and Princess posted this on social media as well.

Now for our look at what Kate wore.

She was in the Alexander McQueen tailored coat first noted during the Boston trip in December 2022. The bespoke piece is similar to this double-breasted 2022 Alexander McQueen style with peaked lapels, padded shoulders, buttoned cuffs, front flap pockets, a welt pocket at the chest, and a single back vent.

Here is a look at the two ensembles. 

Beneath the coat, it looked like the Princess wore her Whistles Margot Shirt Dress, a midi-length design made of burgundy viscose with a button front, fitted waist, and self-belt. I believe the Princess used the belt as a tie at the neckline.

The Princess first wore the dress at an October 2018 engagement. 

And back in London at KP, William and Kate hosted @BBCRadio1PR Teen Heroes w/ DJs Clara Amfo & Greg James on Wed. Winners Siena, 16, works to support students with autism and learning disabilities; Lily, 14, a wheelchair motocross competitor & anti-bullying campaigner Junior, 14. pic.twitter.com/bSnoUZm22H

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 19, 2018

There are a few repliKate ideas on the RepliKate Dresses page here.

The Princess accessorized with her Natasha Clutch ($495) by a favorite royal brand, Emmy London.  

Today’s shoes could be a Gianvito Rossi pair we have seen before in a color called “Texas Brown Suede” or a nearly identical Jimmy Choo “Romy” pair. I don’t feel like I have a good enough view of them to say which pair she is wearing. UPDATE OCT 11: A friend who wishes to remain anonymous suggests the Princess wore her Russell and Bromley Pinpoint pumps, and I think she is correct.

The Princess also brought back her Catherine Zoraida Fern Drop earrings ($222).

And for those curious about the rings worn by the Princess, today we saw her with four. 

I’ll leave you with one more photo from today’s engagement.