Kate, Princess of Wales, invites Southport stabbing survivors to Christmas carol concert

The Princess of Wales has invited children who survived the stabbing attack in Southport to her annual Christmas carol concert.

Kensington Palace said they had been invited to attend her fourth Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on 6 December.

It comes as Kate, who has made few public appearances since revealing in March she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer, made a surprise visit with her husband William to meet the bereaved families of the victims in Southport last month.

The royal couple met privately with the families of the three victims, including six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who were fatally stabbed in the attack on 29 July.

The royals also met the children’s dance teacher.

The Together At Christmas service in 2024 forms part of the princess’s gradual return to public duties following her diagnosis, which came after she underwent abdominal surgery and was announced a month after the King revealed he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.

The Prince of Wales recently described the past year as “brutal” and probably “the hardest year in my life”.

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Kensington Palace said Kate, who honoured the war dead at Remembrance events earlier this month, wanted the theme of this year’s carol service to celebrate those supporting others in need.

The service will see the Princess of Wales being joined by other members of the Royal Family as around 1,600 people fill the abbey for musical performances by stars including Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter.

“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,” the palace said.

The event, supported by The Royal Foundation, will be filmed as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.