Parents share photo of Alice at Swift workshop before tragic attack

Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents have shared a photo of their nine-year-old daughter at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on the day she was tragically killed. The image shows Alice next to a cardboard cutout of Swift at Hart Space community centre in Southport on Monday morning, 29 July.

Alice was one of three girls who died after several children were injured in the attack. Her parents, Sergio and Alexandra, originally from Madeira, Portugal, released the photo during her funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport. Hundreds gathered, with the public lining the streets to honour Alice as the funeral procession arrived. Approximately 30 uniformed police officers and Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy also attended.

In a statement read at the service, Alice’s parents described her as their “perfect dream child” with strong values, a kind nature, and a love for animals. They spoke of her confidence, empathy, and respectfulness. “Being around you was a privilege,” they said, recalling the joy of cuddling Alice every night for almost nine years, except for sleepovers and nights away with friends.

The parents also mentioned Alice’s dedication to dancing and schoolwork, regretting she didn’t have the time to achieve her extensive to-do list. They expressed their pain and self-doubt, wondering if they could have prevented her death. Along with the last photo, they shared other images of Alice from her life, including ballet classes and school moments.

Jinnie Payne, headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, remembered Alice as a lively pupil who played the ukulele with the choir and enjoyed two bowls of porridge at breakfast club. She mentioned Alice’s playful spirit, preferring to be called “Alice in Wonderland” rather than “Goldilocks.” Ms Payne ended her tribute by encouraging Alice to “teach those angels a few dance moves” and to keep daydreaming.

The attack led to far-right riots across the UK due to misinformation that the suspect was an asylum seeker. It later emerged the suspect was born in Wales. Chief Constable Kennedy conveyed the family’s message against violence in Alice’s name and expressed her sorrow over the riots. Labour’s Southport MP Patrick Hurley and Portuguese politician Sara Madruga da Costa also addressed the gathering, with da Costa thanking UK authorities for their response.

Applause broke out as Alice’s white coffin, carried by a carriage drawn by two horses with orange and white plumes, approached the church. Family, friends, and several hundred people listened to the service outside via loudspeakers. The town adorned pink ribbons and balloons in her honour.

Alice died alongside six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe in the attack. Bebe’s parents, Lauren and Ben, described their daughter as “full of joy, light, and love.” They revealed that Bebe’s sister Genie, aged nine, witnessed the attack but managed to escape.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, faces charges of three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported 779 arrests related to the riots, with 349 individuals charged.