The Princess of Wales was the image of elegance with her stunning ‘bronde’ tresses as she made a visit to Southport this morning. 

Kate and William, both aged 43, visited privately to console the mourning parents of Elsie Dot Stancombe, a victim of a tragic stabbing, by appearing at the school she once attended.

On June 29, 2024, Axel Rudakubana, 19, launched an attack during a dance class themed around Taylor Swift. He tragically claimed the lives of six-year-old Bebe King and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, while also injuring eight more children. In January, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years.

Today, the royal pair returned to the city with emotion, extending continued support to the families impacted by these tragic events, following their initial visit last year.

The Princess was sophisticated as ever for the occasion, accentuating her smart suit and coat with golden locks that showed off a freshly lightened glow in the sun.

Kate first debuted her blonder hair last month, and has since been showered with compliments for the honey-tone of her new look.

Experts have also remarked on the versatility of the style, as well as the fresh new aesthetic it brings.

Lauren Paglionico, master colourist and founder of LRN Beauty in New York City, said autumn is always ‘the perfect time’ to show off a new hair colour, especially if you’re in the public eye.

The Princess of Wales was the image of elegance with her stunning ‘bronde’ tresses as she made a visit to Southport this morning

‘There’s something about the seasonal shift that makes it feel like a natural moment for change,’ she told the Daily Mail.

‘For some of these women, it’s possible they have something exciting on the horizon.

‘As for Kate, she’s been through a lot and I feel this is her way of reintroducing herself on her own terms.’

Although Lauren admitted that typically, people like to dye their hair darker for the Autumn, she’s definitely been seeing ‘a shift’ this season.

Upon their arrival in Southport today, William and Kate, dressed in a smart pink blouse and stylish grey trousers, teamed with a matching coat, were greeted by 430 children at the infant school where Elsie had been due to start in Year 3 last Autumn. 

Staff and parents, including Elsie’s mother and father Jenni and David, also joined the group, with local sources saying they were ‘deeply touched’ by the visit. There will be further engagements by the couple later this afternoon.

The royal couple were welcomed by Peter Oliver, deputy Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, June Burns, Mayor of Sefton, Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton council and its CEO Phillip Porter.

Jennie Sephton, head of the infant school, and Adrian Antell, head of the junior school, then introduced Kate and William to members of the school council – 16 from the junior school and 16 from the infant school. 

Kate and William, both 43, were there to privately meet with the grieving parents of tragic stabbing victim Elsie Dot Stancombe, making an appearance at her former school

The Princess was sophisticated as ever for the occasion, accentuating her smart suit and coat with golden locks that showed off a freshly lightened glow in the sun

Inside, William and Kate spoke to teachers about how the school was affected by the tragedy and the support it has provided to pupils, staff and the local community.

They also met privately with Elsie’s parents Jenni and David in the headteacher’s office. Along with Alice’s father Sergio Aguiar, David ran the London Marathon in April in memory of their daughters and the Prince and Princess donated to their fundraising efforts. 

The princess told pupils today: ‘I’m very impressed with all of you and all the hard work you’re doing. What a fantastic thing to learn to raise money to help other people. Keep up your hard work.’

Earlier this month, the inquiry into the Southport attack heard a statement from Jenni in which she described Elsie as ‘our joy, our pride, our everything’, adding ‘we used to say we had won the lottery, the luckiest parents in the world.’

She described her daughter as a ‘dreamer’ who ‘always had big ideas and the most beautiful imagination’.

At her funeral in August 2024, Elsie’s headteacher Jennifer Sephton described her as ‘such a caring and charismatic young lady who loved to please’.

In their own statement following last year’s attack, William and Kate said: ‘As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.’

It is the future king and queen’s second visit to the community, which has showed such immense bravery and solitary following the horrific attack last year.

Following their first in October last year, the Prince and Princess issued a statement, saying: ‘We continue to stand with everyone in Southport. 

‘Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers. ‘

Today they will continue that promise to stand by the community with an extremely poignant visit, their spokesman said.

In 2024, they met with the families of all three girls murdered by knifeman Rudakubana, then aged 17, who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January.

William and Kate spent time with the bereaved families, along with brave dance teacher Leanne Lucas, who risked her life to protect the girls and was critically injured in the attack.

The couple also met with emergency responders and mental health practitioners who have been working to deliver support to the blue light community, many of whom remain deeply scarred by what they saw on the day.

A source said they ‘care deeply for the families and the Southport community, and that’s why they wanted to go back to show their ongoing support’.

In April, it was revealed that the Prince and Princess had quietly made a donation to Churchtown Primary School, attended by Alice and Bebe, to help them fund a new playground in memory of the children killed in the knife attack.

The new space is set to be honour the girls’ memories and provide an expanded space for children to play in. 

The donation from the royals was revealed by Jinnie Payne, headteacher of Churchtown Primary School. 

She wrote in a message shared on social media: ‘On behalf of Churchtown Primary School, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales, for their incredibly generous donation to our Churchtown Playground fund. 

‘Their kindness and thoughtfulness mean so much to our whole community as we come together to honour the memories of Alice and Bebe, two much-loved members of our school family. 

‘As Alice’s dad Sergio, and I prepare to run the London Marathon today in their memory, we are deeply touched and encouraged by William’s and Kate’s support.’

Prince William had promised the families and local community he would visit as soon as possible and his first visit had long been scheduled in. 

But the decision by his wife to join him was more recent. It is understood that she wanted to ‘show her support, empathy and compassion to the local community’.