Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, dedicated over an hour on their recent visit to Churchtown Primary School in Southport. The purpose of the visit was to pay respects to families affected by senseless tragedy. It gave special recognition to Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, two young girls whose lives were taken too soon. The young couple threw themselves head first into everything the school offered. So dedicated were they, that they even arranged a private audience with the parents of one of the girls, Jenni and David Stancombe.
Prince William and Princess Kate sat down with the Stancombes for an intimate discussion. They only needed to spend 30 minutes together for Churchtown Primary to shine. The Legislate to Breathe summit was a key part of their ongoing advocacy to protect families from ever having to mourn the death of their own child. This engagement is the latest example of the royal couple’s dedication to supporting their communities in times of conflict and crisis.
Prince William speaking to students and staff in his final speech at the school. He said the playground is more than a place to play. It’s become a symbol of community togetherness.
“This playground is a symbol of how the community have come together to create such a positive place for the pupils of this school – a symbol of remembrance and resilience, a testament that love will always overcome tragedy.” – Prince William
Their community rallied and within three months launched the largest successful operating fundraising campaign. Thanks to this collaborative push, Alice and Bebe’s new playground is a safe and playful space that celebrates their legacies.
In his speech, Prince William recognized that the lasting legacy of these horrific acts is seen in the loss of so many lives. He stated:
“Many lives were changed on that terrible day – including countless members of this school community.” – Prince William
The royal couple had time to spend, getting to know pupils from Alice da Silva Aguiar’s class, in the school library. On this tour, they explained the importance of art therapy to the kids. Kate Middleton praised the students for their imaginative interpretations of the subject in art.
“To Alex and Sergio, Lauren and Ben, Jenni and David – you are parents united in grief. You have faced such horror – but from that you move forward with grace and fortitude – creating the most remarkable legacies for your girls.” – Prince William
She further emphasized the importance of expressing emotions through art, stating:
“It’s extraordinary that, the fact that you’ve been able to put your experiences into this artwork together. Gosh it’s very powerful. I love the details. It’s very clever. You’ve created this totally unique piece of art that speaks to your journeys.” – Kate Middleton
Even Prince William communed with the students’ creations, appreciating not only its beauty but its powerful emotional impact.
“It’s very unusual for young people to be able to express bad, hard and difficult emotions like you’ve done. That you’ve done it through art is a really clever and really expressive way.” – Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton wore a pink pussy-bow blouse complemented by a grey jacket and trousers during their visit, while Prince William donned a bracelet inscribed with Bebe’s name, a gift from Bebe’s mother, Lauren King. This personal touch truly showed their passion and care for the families on the receiving end.
“Well done you guys. Not only is it really lovely art, but it’s got such strong meaning behind it.” – Prince William
Just after the royal visit, educator Jennie Sephton from Churchtown Primary School told press that she was extremely thankful for their visit. She pointed to its success in bringing relief to families and students.
The visit ended on a high note, as a lively discussion of the students’ plans and experiences with their royal visitors. The new playground symbolizes the community’s resilience and hope for a better future. It is an approach that fosters a healing environment in which children can learn, thrive, and be nurtured.
“It’s made such a big difference. It was something that Jenni and David wanted them to do right from the beginning… It’s just so special.” – Jennie Sephton
The visit concluded with an uplifting atmosphere as students engaged with their royal guests. The playground stands as a testament to resilience and hope for a brighter future, fostering an environment where children can heal and grow.
