Kate is making her first official public engagement since finishing chemotherapy

The Princess of Wales made an unexpected appearance alongside the Prince of Wales on a visit to Southport, where they held a private meeting with the bereaved families of three children killed in a knife attack in July.

This was Katherine's first official public engagement since she finished her chemotherapy.

Royal sources say she decided to join forces with Prince William to show her “support, compassion and compassion for the local community”.

The pair spoke to emergency responders who helped at the scene of the devastating knife attack in the northwest coastal town.

Catherine hugged some of the emergency workers, and Fire Chief Phil Garrigan said “she could see the emotion in them.”

The royal visit to Southport was planned as a low-key event, to allow for one-on-one time with the families of the three children who died and with the yoga teacher who was present during the attack.

But Katherine was a surprise addition as she has only appeared at a handful of public events this year, since revealing her cancer diagnosis.

She arrived with her husband, wearing a long brown coat with an autumnal look, to meet bereaved families and emergency workers, whom Prince William described as “heroes.”

With her chemotherapy over, Katherine began a gradual return to work, including holding meetings about her Early Years campaign last month.

However, this is the biggest moment yet in her return to royal duties.

Catherine spoke of “good days and bad days”, and Kensington Palace warned that her look may have to be flexible and subject to last-minute changes.

The visit to Southport by Prince William and Catherine was intended to show the community that she had “not been forgotten”.

The prince and princess heard about the efforts to bring the community together after the knife attack – and the wave of riots that followed.

Baby King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice DaSilva Aguiar, 9, were killed on July 29, 2024, in the attack on a children's dance troupe.

The royal couple spent 90 minutes speaking to the families of the three children, and later passed on the families' thanks to emergency responders, at a meeting at the Southport Community Centre.

Catherine told emergency workers they had supported the families during their “darkest times” and said: “On their behalf, thank you.”

Ten other people – eight of them children – were injured in the stabbing.

Axel Rudakopana, 17, was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.

The royal couple told emergency workers from the police and health services about the importance of protecting their health and mental health.

Prince William said: “The first thing we thought about was how you guys are going to cope after seeing what you saw. So please take your time, don't rush back to work, do whatever you need to do.” , who along with Catherine has campaigned for people to be more open about mental health concerns.

The couple had donated to a fundraiser to provide physical and psychological assistance to police and ambulance crews who were caught up in the attack and the riots that followed.

In a message on social media, Prince William and Catherine said their visit to Southport was a “powerful reminder of the importance of supporting each other in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy.”

Former police chief Andy Rhodes described the visit as a “huge boost” for emergency workers.

“It was very emotional. It's still hard for people,” he said.