Look at all the flowers..

Charles meets survivors and families to express his sorrow.

- RUSSELL MYERS, PHIL CARDY

IN a town united by grief over the deaths of three little girls, the King stood in a colourful sea of flowers, soft toys and heart-shaped balloons as he shared in Southport's sorrow.

Charles visited the town yesterday to express his "deepest sympathy" for victims of the attacks on July 29 and meet the families and survivors.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, died and 10 others were injured in the stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space Community Centre.

Arriving at Southport Town Hall, Charles viewed a large makeshift memorial for the victims and told one woman: "Look at all the flowers." The King did a walkabout, shaking hands with the many members of the public who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of him and thank him for visiting.

Max, eight, gave him a red silk heart he had made himself, prompting His Majesty to gently pat his head in thanks.

A woman called June presented Charles with some pink hearts she had crocheted and asked him: "Please give them to Kate and Charlotte." "I will," he promised.

The crowd clapped and cheered as the King slowly made his way along the barriers, accepting small gifts.