King Charles III visits Southport to meet with survivors of deadly knife attack

By Mehmet Solmaz

BIRMINGHAM, England (AA) — Britain's King Charles III paid a visit to Southport on Tuesday, meeting with survivors and families of the three young girls who were killed in a knife attack last month.

Charles was greeted by hundreds of people, many of whom cheered and applauded as he arrived at Southport town hall.

The monarch stepped out of his vehicle to read some of the hundreds of tributes scattered among flowers, balloons and toys. He then shook hands and spoke briefly with several members of the public.

Charles later laid flowers for the three children killed in the attack – Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9).

He later signed the book of condolences, which was opened shortly after the attack, with his fountain pen, writing his name and the date, and adding: "In deepest sympathy."

As well as meeting families affected by the attack, he spent time with members of the community who had helped to bring the town together in the wake of the riots that broke out shortly afterwards.

The deadly knife attack was followed by misinformation about the identity of the attacker. That sparked anti-immigration riots throughout the country, which were subsequently condemned by the victims’ families.

Over 1,000 people have been arrested, with nearly 600 facing charges in connection with the riots.