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PRINCESS Kate and Prince William felt so personally affected by the Southport attack that you could see the strain etched on their faces, an expert has said.

The Princess of Wales has invited child survivors of the Southport stabbing horror to her Christmas carol concert.

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Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six died in July’s knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Last month Kate joined William in a surprise public appearance to meet victims of the attack.

The visit was her first public engagement with her husband since her cancer diagnosis.

Their Royal Highnesses met privately with the families of the three tragic children

Kate was seen hugging tearful emergency service workers as they told her of their ordeal responding to the Southport stabbings.

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills recalled the emotional visit.

Rhiannon said: “It was made very clear to me that they felt very personally upset by what had happened.

“Their children are a very similar age to those poor little girls who lost their lives.

“Parents up and down the country would have been affected by what had happened.

“But what we saw William and Kate do is bring attention back to a community that may have felt forgotten.

“There is still a community struggling to come to terms with what happened on that day.

“I was there in the back garden watching the prince and princess chatting to emergency service personnel.

“We know that Prince William feels an affinity because of his air ambulance work.

“You could see etched on their faces the kind of strain. That visit was very emotionally charged.”

KIND PRINCESS

Kate will reunite with the Southport survivors at Westminster Abbey on December 6.

It will be her first Together At Christmas celebration since completing chemotherapy.

A source said: “The Royal family have been a tremendous support to the families.

“The King met the survivors, then Kate took time out to meet them in private last month with Prince William.

“Now she has personally ensured everyone is invited to her concert which, this year, will mean more to her than ever before.

“It promises to be an incredible, life-affirming night and there’s been a lot of organisation involved to get it all ready.”  

The singer, on tour in the UK at the time, invited survivors backstage at Wembley in August.

The source said: “The families have met the King, met Taylor Swift, and now this wonderful concert — but it is all unbearably tinged with the trauma they are still dealing with.

“It has been a horrendous time for them and none of the children or the adults who were in that room will ever be the same again.”

The families will be welcomed to London for three days, with transport and accommodation provided by Southport Stronger Together.

The charity was set up to help with public donations.

Some have been used to cover bills as some parents have had to take time off work to care for children with serious injuries.

Mum-of-three Kate’s annual Together At Christmas concert on December 6 will be the first since completing her gruelling chemotherapy treatment in September.

Some 1,600 invites have been sent out, with Kate keen to celebrate individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted — and “above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive”.

The concert also comes as King Charles recovers from cancer.

This year’s event is Kate’s fourth.

‘GIFT OF LOVE’

In 2021 she surprised guests with a solo piano recital and there are rumours she may be planning something special again this year.

Announcing the concert, a Palace spokesman said: “This year’s service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.

“The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.

“This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need — individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.

“This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy.”

The King, Queen Camilla and William are all expected at the concert, to be aired on ITV on Christmas Eve.

A decision on whether Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, attend will likely be taken on the day, it is understood.

Last night Kensington Palace confirmed the Princess has invited the Southport families to her Carol Service.

In January 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana is due to go on trial charged with three murders, as well as the attempted murder of eight other children and of two adults.

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