Kate Middleton and Prince William Interrupt School Vacation to Make Heartfelt Statement After Liverpool Crash

Kate Middleton and Prince William interrupted their break with their children to say how they are “deeply saddened” after a car plowed into revelers in Liverpool, injuring dozens as they celebrated a soccer team’s triumph on May 26.

The couple said in a statement on May 27, “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and to the first responders and emergency services on the ground.”

Minutes earlier, King Charles, 76, expressed his shock and sadness. In a statement released during his two-day visit to Canada with Queen Camilla, the King said, “It is truly devastating to see that what should have been a joyous celebration for so many could end in such distressing circumstances.”

“At this heartbreaking time for the people of Liverpool, I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need,” he continued.

The tragedy unfolded as hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the streets to mark Liverpool FC’s championship-winning team.

Moments after the team’s bus had passed, a car drove into the crowd. Four people are “very ill” in the hospital, the area’s mayor, Steve Rotherham said, the BBC reported. A 53-year-old man from West Derby has been arrested. He has been held on suspicion of attempted murder and driving under the influence of drugs, the update from Merseyside police added.

Around 50 people were treated in the hospital and 11 remain, police said on Tuesday, May 27, for ongoing treatment. They are in a “stable condition,” the latest press release from Merseyside Police said. Police said the car followed an ambulance through a road block that was briefly opened in order to allow emergency workers to attend to a man who’d suffered a suspected heart attack.

Charles made his statement as inquiries continued into the circumstances of the incident. Charles, 76, added, “Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with all those who have been affected, and my special gratitude goes out to the first responders, emergency services personnel and other individuals who rushed to the aid of the injured.”

Prince William — who is patron of the Football Association, the governing body of soccer in England and is a passionate fan of the game — and Princess Kate are on half-term holiday with their three children, Prince George, 11,  Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. The couple traditionally scales back their royal duties during school vacations to spend private time as a family.

The royal family was also represented at the scene by Charles’ sister, Princess Anne, who visited in her capacity as patron of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.

In a late-night press conference on May 26, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said that police were not treating the incident as terrorism. She said, “Sadly, at just after 6 o’clock this evening, as the parade was drawing to a close, we received reports that a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool city center.”

 

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She added that “extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision and it is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media.

“I know that people will understandably be concerned by what has happened. What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident, and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it.”

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She said as well as “a number” of people had been injured and were taken to four different hospitals. A large number, she added, were treated at the scene.

On Monday night, the U.K.’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement on X: “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling — my thoughts are with all those injured or affected. I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident. I’m being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate.”