Hundreds of mourners gathered on Sunday in Southport, northwest England, to pay their respects to Alice da Silva Aguiar, a nine-year-old girl tragically killed in last month’s mass stabbing that shocked the nation.
The emotional funeral ceremony took place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, attended by family, friends, community members, and emergency responders.
Alice, whose parents are originally from Portugal, was honored in a procession featuring a small white coffin carried on a carriage drawn by white horses. The local community, dressed in white as per Portuguese tradition, lined the streets, clapping as the cortege passed by. Pink ribbons and balloons adorned the route, symbolizing the community’s grief and solidarity.
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Inside the packed church, the service featured heartfelt speeches, prayers, and hymns. Among those who spoke was Jinnie Payne, headteacher of Alice’s primary school, who remembered her fondly: “Alice, you will forever be in our hearts.”
Alice was one of three young girls who lost their lives in the July 29 knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, which also left 10 others injured, including eight children.
The incident sparked a wave of violence across several English towns, with officials blaming far-right agitators for fueling unrest through misinformation.
British-born Axel Rudakubana has been charged with murder and attempted murder for the attack, though authorities have stated the crime is not being treated as terrorism-related.
