The King said he and the Queen are “deeply shocked” by the “utterly horrific” knife attack that killed two children in Southport.
He said: “My wife and I were deeply shocked to learn of the horrific incident in Southport today.
“We send our heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in such a tragic way and to all those affected by this truly horrific attack.”
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Two children died and nine other people were injured after a stabbing at a community center in Southport, north of Liverpool, on Monday morning.
All nine injured children were stabbed and six are in critical condition.
Two adults are also in critical condition after trying to protect the children.
In a separate statement, the Prince and Princess of Wales said that, as parents, they “cannot imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport are going through today”.
William and Kate added: “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to everyone involved in this horrific and heinous attack.”
They also thanked emergency responders who, they said, “demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
The children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance event at The Hart Center on Hart Street when the attacker, armed with a knife, entered the venue, Merseyside Police said at a press conference.
A 17-year-old boy from the nearby Lancashire village of Banks, born in Cardiff, Wales, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said the entire country is “deeply shocked” by the attack.
PM speaks out after stabbings in Southport
He thanked the police and emergency services, adding: “I know I speak for everyone across the country in expressing our thoughts and condolences to the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community.”
See more information:
What we know about the Southport mass stabbing
Witness describes seeing children ‘covered in blood’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also wrote on X: “The news from Southport is truly devastating. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this terrible incident and the whole community.”
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Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was “utterly shocked” by what happened, adding: “These young people had their whole lives ahead of them and it is difficult to find the words to express our profound sadness.”
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