When Kate Middleton stepped out on Thursday to meet with the families of three children who were killed in a mass stabbing in Southport over the summer, her first public engagement since announcing that she completed chemotherapy last month, she included an especially meaningful piece of jewelry into her ensemble.
As she visited with the families and the emergency workers who responded to the tragic scene, the Princess of Wales sported a pair of Catherine Zoraida gold fern drop earrings that she’s owned for several years and has worn before. The fern has a special symbolic meaning in many cultures, with several associating the plant with renewal, resiliency, and new life, due to its ability to grow in difficult conditions, as well as its growth pattern, with fresh green fronds unfurling from a tight spiral at bloom.
In Celtic lore, ferns are also often associated with fairies and magic, a sweet nod to the wonder and innocence of the children who attended the Taylor Swift-themed yoga and movement class where the attack took place. Sometimes, ferns would be tucked into horses’ bridles or included in travelers’ bundles as a good luck charm, a request for the fairies to protect the carrier.
Kate was a surprise addition to the engagement in Southport, where she joined husband Prince William, who had the event on his public schedule. Palace aides said that out of respect for the grieving families and traumatized first responders involved, Kate’s attendance was kept under wraps ahead of time in an attempt to keep the engagement low-key.
The royals spent about half an hour with the families of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar, the three children who were killed in the attack. They also met with the teacher of the class, Leanne Lucas, who was injured in the incident, and Kate reportedly hugged several first responders.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said, “The Princess of Wales broke off and came back into the building to give a hug to the people who responded because she could see the emotion in them and could see it was difficult for them to relay their feelings and to say how impactful events have been.”
In July, following the attack, William and Kate shared a statement signed with their initials to their social media accounts.
“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 read in part. “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack. Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
It was important to the Prince and Princess of Wales to visit the families to show that they hadn’t forgotten about them, according to palace aides.
They issued a statement and photo on social media following the visit.
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“We continue to stand with everyone in Southport,” they wrote. “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. W and C”
In August, both Taylor Swift and King Charles III met with survivors of the attack and their families in the U.K.
Since completing her treatment, Kate has slowly ramped up her workload. She has hosted meetings for her initiatives at Windsor Castle, and met with teenage cancer patient Liz Hatton, who also shares Kate’s passion for photography. Kate is expected to attend the National Service of Remembrance on November 10, and will also host the fourth iteration of her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
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