Shocked Charles breaks holiday to comfort families at centre of tragedy

THE King told of his "profound shock" and sympathy as he visited Southport where he met survivors of the knife rampage in which three little girls were killed.

- Emily Ferguson

Charles, 75, interrupted his traditional Scottish summer break at Balmoral to speak to those at the centre of the July 29 horror.

The monarch spent about 45 minutes in a private meeting with the survivors and their families before signing a book of condolence opened soon after the attack.

He used his own fountain pen to write his name and the date, then added: "In deepest sympathy." Today the King will host a meeting with the families of victims Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, in London.

The children were stabbed to death as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in the Merseyside town.

Ten others, including eight children, were seriously injured.

Arriving to loud cheers and applause from the appreciative waiting crowds, he viewed tributes of flowers and toys outside Southport's town hall before going inside to meet the survivors.

He expressed his "profound shock" over the tragedy and spoke of his heartfelt appreciation of the way the community rallied round in its aftermath as he met emergency crews, faith leaders and those who opened their doors in extraordinary acts of kindness.

They included Diane, 50, and her husband Dan, 48, whose home backs on to Hart Community Centre, where the horror unfolded.

Kind

Their shocked 12-year-old daughter witnessed the events from a window at home.

Charles heard how the couple comforted the families of some of the victims and continue to allow police to use their facilities.

Diane said afterwards: "It was a surreal conversation with the King, because we've opened our doors to the six or eight police officers who were manning the cordon each day.

"They get tea and coffee and food, but nowhere to go to the toilet. At night we leave our back door open for them to use the toilet too.