King and Queen 'profoundly shocked' by 'utterly horrific' knife attack which killed children

The King has said he and the Queen are "profoundly shocked" by the "utterly horrific" knife attack which killed two children in Southport.

He said: "My wife and I have been profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident in Southport today.

"We send our most heartfelt condolences, prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones to those who have so tragically lost their lives, and to all those affected by this truly appalling attack."

Two children have died and nine others are injured after the stabbing at a community centre in Southport, north of Liverpool, on Monday morning.

All of the nine children who were injured were stabbed and six are in a critical condition.

Two adults are also in a critical condition, after trying to protect the children.

Southport stabbings: Follow live updates

The children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance event at The Hart Centre on Hart Street when the offender, armed with a knife, walked into the premises, Merseyside Police said in a news conference.

A 17-year-old boy from the nearby village of Banks in Lancashire, who is originally from Cardiff in Wales, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

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