LONDON (AP) 鈥� Prince William and the Princess of Wales on Thursday carried out their first joint public engagement since the end of Kate鈥檚 chemotherapy by meeting the bereaved parents of victims of a in the seaside town of Southport.
The royal couple spent 90 minutes meeting privately with the families of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, who were killed at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29. They also met with their teacher.
The couple later met with emergency workers at a community center, and told them how much their efforts
鈥淚 can鈥檛 underestimate how grateful they all are for the support you provided on the day,'' Kate said. 鈥淥n behalf of them, thank you.鈥�
William and Kate sat beside each other on a bench and listened to their stories. Once the cameras left, Kate offered a hug to responders who were struggling to express their feelings.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e all heroes,'' William said. "Please make sure you look after yourselves, please take your time, don鈥檛 rush back to work.鈥�
The revealed in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer, in that followed weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts.
The princess disclosed in a video message that followed relentless speculation on social media that began when she was hospitalized for unspecified in January.
Kate said she had completed chemotherapy, and planned to slowly return to public duties, 鈥渦ndertaking a few more public appearances鈥� in the coming months.
But she acknowledged that the path to recovery would be long and she would 鈥渢ake each day as it comes.鈥�
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Danica Kirka, The Associated Press
