Prince William and Kate Middleton sported matching friendship bracelets in a moving show of support on Tuesday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales donned the accessories on a visit to Southport, where they showed continued support to the community following a devastating knife attack in the city last year that killed three children. While most of the media’s focus was on William and Kate’s official engagements, one small—and particularly touching—detail was picked up by eagle-eyed royal watchers.
Small, matching friendship bracelets could be seen on the wrists of both William and Kate. Each crafted from a string of white and gold beads, they bore letters spelling out the names of Bebe King. Bebe, Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Elsie Dot Stancombe—the children who were tragically killed at a Taylor Swift–themed dance class last July, leaving their families and communities in a state of grief.
The royals were reportedly given the bracelets during an emotional private meeting in Southport with Bebe’s mother, Lauren King, as a tribute to her daughter’s memory. The prince and princess also conducted private meetings with the parents of Alice and Elsie during their visit to the town, which saw them carrying out a number of engagements with the schools of all three children.
The royal couple first toured Farnborough Road Infant and Junior School, where Elsie Dot Stancombe was a pupil. For their arrival in Southport, Prince William looked smart in a navy blue suit and dark tie, while Kate Middleton donned grey trousers, a matching overcoat and one of her favorite styles, a pussy bow blouse in pale pink. At the school, the royals spoke to teachers about how pupils were affected by the attack, and the support the school has offered to students, staff and the wider community.
