The Princess of Wales has proven her fashion prowess is as impressive as ever as she returns to the spotlight after several months out of action due to cancer treatment – and even influenced her husband’s outfit.
Mother-of-three Kate, 42, was stunned as she arrived in Southport this afternoon to meet the families who were affected by the horrific stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July.
In her biggest engagement to date this year, Kate, 42, joined Prince William to meet the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
Arriving in Southport as the autumn afternoon sun shone, the princess, who underwent several months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, looked beautiful in a berry ensemble. William, in a nod to his wife, also donned a berry-colored sweater.
The royal donned a polka dot dress with a pussy bow detail, paired with a structured double-breasted peacoat by her favorite designer Alexander McWueen and pumps. She accessorized it with her Catherine Zoraida gold fern drop earrings.
The Princess of Wales, 42, showed her style prowess is as strong as ever when she arrived in Southport this afternoon with Prince William.
Kate previously donned her structured peacoat at the Earthshot Awards in Boston, when she traveled to the US in December 2022 to support Prince William.
During the Welsh visit, the couple He also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was seriously injured while protecting youngsters being attacked by a knife during a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday class.
The couple later spoke to the emergency services who attended and helped that day.
Prince William had promised families and the local community that he would visit as soon as possible and his visit had long been scheduled for today.
A smile that will warm the hearts of royal fans: The Princess of Wales smiled as she sat in Southport
The royal couple also spent time with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, who was seriously injured while protecting the youngsters (Prince William and Princess Kate are pictured Thursday).
The Princess of Wales looked picture-perfect as she carried out her most moving and significant engagement this year.
Kate wore her luscious locks in loose waves with golden highlights, which she swept away from her face.
The Princess of Wales met the families of the three girls killed in the Southport knife attack in July during an emotional visit to the city with her husband Prince William (both pictured today).
Three girls died at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, including seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe (pictured)
Bebe King, six, also died in the horror attack in Southport in July.
Nine-year-old Alice Aguiar died in the early hours of the morning after being rushed to hospital after being stabbed while at the dance party.
But his wife’s decision to join him was more recent. It is understood he wanted to “show his support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.
At the time of the incident, the couple shared a personal message of shock and sympathy for those affected and, like her husband, the princess has followed the events closely since.
It is the princess’s first public engagement since announcing last month that she had received full cancer treatment and would embark on a carefully calibrated return to public duties.
Aside from a small media contingency, the visit was deliberately kept discreet as both the prince and princess wanted it to be as discreet as possible out of respect for those involved.
His meeting with the victims’ families was held entirely in private and was not publicly announced until they left.
However, the couple later met with first responders who were involved after the attack at a local community center to hear their experiences and speak with mental health professionals who have been working to provide long-term support to the blue light community. in Southport.
It is understood that it was important for them to go now, three months later, to show the people of Southport that they have not been forgotten and will continue to support the community today and in the future.
The William and Catherine Royal Foundation made a donation to the National Police and Welfare Service fundraising to help accelerate the psychological and physical rehabilitation of police and ambulance staff who were involved in the attack and riots later.
Last month, the Princess of Wales announced she had completed preventive chemotherapy treatment after it emerged earlier this year that evidence of cancer had been found following abdominal surgery.
The trip was the first public engagement since Catherine announced she had completed her chemotherapy treatment (Kate and William are pictured today in Southport)
Kensington Palace said it would embark on a slow and measured return to public duties, taking into account its continued recovery.
Although he had held meetings privately and last week photographs of his embraced cancer patient Liz Hatton were published, today’s event is his first official public engagement since then.
He also hopes to reunite with his family on Remembrance Sunday.
In August, King Charles paid tribute to the Southport stabbing victims during an emotional visit to the town.
The monarch was greeted with cheers and applause as he watched a floral display honoring the young men killed in the horrific knife attack.
He also met with survivors of the attack.