Kate Middleton invites survivors of Southport stabbing to Christmas concert

Catherine, Princess of Wales has invited families and survivors of the Southport attack to a Christmas carol event. Photo / Getty Images

Details of a private invitation released by the Princess of Wales have come to light ahead of her high-profile Christmas concert.

The Princess of Wales has made a bid to provide some Christmas cheer to the survivors and relatives of victims of the horrific stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Southport in the UK.

According to The Sun, Kate has invited them all to her upcoming Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.

A source told the publication that she “personally ensured” everyone affected by the tragedy was offered a spot at the event, which will “mean more to her than ever before” this year.

“It promises to be an incredible, life-affirming night, and there’s been a lot of organisation involved to get it all ready,” the insider said.

They will all reportedly be welcomed to London for three days, with transport and accommodation provided by Southport Stronger Together.

“The royal family have been a tremendous support to the families,” a royal source told The Sun.

“The families have met the king, met Taylor Swift, and now this wonderful concert – but it is all unbearably tinged with the trauma they are still dealing with.

“It has been a horrendous time for them, and none of the children or the adults who were in that room will ever be the same again.”

Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine, Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023, in London, England. Photo / Getty Images

Three children – Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7; Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9; and Bebe King, 6 – were killed in the July 29 attack during the Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop in Southport, a town about four hours northwest of London.

Eighteen-year-old Axel Rudakubana was charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. His motive remains unknown.

Last month, Kate’s first engagement after announcing she had completed chemotherapy was a visit to Southport, near Liverpool, alongside husband Prince William.

During the emotional outing, they met with the families of the young victims, as well as survivors and emergency responders who fought to save those caught up in the attack.

The tragedy sent shockwaves around the world, and Swift herself released a statement the day after it unfolded.

“The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock,” the singer wrote at the time on Instagram.

“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class.”

Swift went on to meet with the families and survivors of the attack during the London leg of her Eras Tour in August, and raised more than $25,000 (NZ$27,800) for thier cause.