Met survivors

King Charles at the scene of the fatal knife attack

King Charles visited Southport, where he wanted to meet with survivors of the fatal knife attack.

(Bild: APA/Paul Ellis/Pool via AP)

King Charles III has visited the scene of the fatal knife attack on a children's dance class and right-wing extremist riots. He met survivors of the attack in Southport, among others, and the meeting lasted around three quarters of an hour. 

King walked along the large sea of flowers laid in the town center in memory of the victims of the attack at the end of July. Footage showed the 75-year-old monarch waving to the people gathered there and shaking hands with some of them.

Thanks to rescue workers
71-year-old Helen Marshall, who is helping to care for the flowers laid down, described the king's visit as "very important". "We are under a cloud and we need something to lift morale."

Charles also wanted to thank the emergency services in the town of Southport in the north-west of England for their "ongoing work in the service of local people", Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday.

King Charles visited Southport around three weeks after the knife attack on girls at a Taylor Swift dance class.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Peter POWELL)

Criticism after silence
Charles had been criticized for not initially commenting on the nationwide riots. The King had expressed his condolences to the families of the three girls killed in the attack, but initially remained silent on the riots. Traditionally, the British monarch does not comment on matters that could be politically controversial.

Charles also made time for the young fans in Southport.

(Bild: APA/Paul Ellis/Pool via AP)

However, in phone calls with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and police chiefs, the King later said he had been "greatly heartened" by the response "which has countered the aggression and criminality of a few with the compassion and resilience of many".

Three girls stabbed to death
On July 29, three girls aged six, seven and nine were stabbed to death and other children were injured while attending a Taylor Swift dance class during the vacation season.

The suspect is an 18-year-old who was born in the UK to Rwandan parents. He has also been charged with the attempted murder of eight children and two adults. The motive is unclear.

Riots in Great Britain
After the attack, it was falsely claimed on social media that the perpetrator was a Muslim migrant. Right-wing extremists rioted in several British cities, attacking police officers and hotels housing asylum seekers.

Numerous people have been arrested and hundreds charged. Several people have already been sentenced to prison.