Kate makes surprise first public visit since ending chemo

The Princess of Wales has made an unexpected appearance alongside the Prince of Wales on a visit to Southport, where they held a private meeting with the bereaved families of three children killed in a knife attack in July.

This was Catherine’s first official public engagement since she finished her chemotherapy treatment.

Royal sources say she decided to join Prince William to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.

The couple spoke to emergency responders who helped at the scene of the devastating knife attack in the north-west seaside town.

Catherine gave a hug to some of the emergency workers, with fire chief Phil Garrigan saying “she could see the emotion in them”.

The royal visit to Southport had been planned as a low key event, to allow time to be spent in private with families of the three children who died and with the yoga teacher who was present during the attack.

But Catherine was a surprise addition as she made one of only a handful of public appearances this year, since revealing her cancer diagnosis.

Wearing a long brown, autumnal-looking coat, she arrived with her husband to meet the bereaved families and emergency workers described by Prince William as “heroes”.

With her chemotherapy having ended, Catherine has begun a gradual return to work, including meetings about her early years campaign last month.

However, this is the biggest moment so far in returning to royal duties.

Catherine has spoken of having “good days and bad days” and Kensington Palace has cautioned that her appearances might have to be flexible and be subject to last minute changes.