Catherine, Princess of Wales, broke a major royal rule during her first outing after completing chemotherapy treatment. Her Highness broke royal protocol.

In the first half of September, Princess Catherine officially announced that she had finished her course of chemotherapy. At the same time, the wife of William, Prince of Wales, noted that a full recovery is out of the question – she will need a lot of time for further rehabilitation. It was assumed that she will return to duty in November 2024. But she decided otherwise.

The Princess of Wales made a heartfelt return to public duties as she met with the families of the young victims of the July stabbing attack in Southport

Kate Middleton and Prince William stepped out for an unannounced visit to Southport, where three children were killed in a July 29 mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class.

On Oct. 10, the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, visited the town in England to show support for the community in the wake of the deadly attack. Although unannounced, William was expected to attend, and Kate decided to join him. The unexpected outing doubled as Princess Kate’s first public engagement since she announced on Sept. 9 that she completed chemotherapy treatment, six months after she shared in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Kate is undertaking a light schedule of public engagements in the final months of the year, PEOPLE understands. A few events—primarily focused on her Early Years initiative and her Christmas Carol Service—have been included in the official royal calendar, known as the court circular. She hopes to join her family for Remembrance Sunday, if her circumstances allow.

Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for a visit to Southport Community Centre in Southport, north west England on October 10, 2024, where they met rescue workers and the families of those caught up in the Southport knife attack earlier this year.

Prince William and Princess Kate met with fire, ambulance, air ambulance and police services at the Southport Community Centre, and heard about the experience of responding to the tragic attack and how it impacted their mental health. Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, and the royals also spent time with mental health professionals who have been providing support to first responders in the months since.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also privately met with the families of the three children who died on July 29 and the dance teacher who was there when the attack happened. Ten other people were also injured in the mass stabbing, and a 17-year-old boy has since been charged with the murder of the three girls.

PEOPLE understands that Prince William and Princess Kate wanted to visit Southport to show the community they have not been forgotten and that they’ll continue to stand by them.

The Princess of Wales joined her husband in order to show support and empathy to the community and the victims’ families. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who share three children, issued a statement of sympathy at the time of the stabbings which referenced their perspective as parents.

“As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through,” it began.

Kate Middleton and Prince William in Southport on Oct. 10, 2024. Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

After the July 29 tragedy, the National Police and Wellbeing Service created a fundraiser for those involved in the immediate response, which was supported by Prince William and Princess Kate’s charitable Royal Foundation.

Prince William is a retired Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot and previously served with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and the mental health of emergency responders is a cause close to his heart.

The Princess of Wales was most recently seen at a Windsor Castle meeting on Oct. 2, where she met a 16-year-old photographer navigating a rare and aggressive form of cancer who Prince William invited to photograph the investiture ceremonies he held earlier that day.

Prince William and Princess Kate’s visit to Southport follows King Charles’ poignant trip there on Aug. 20, where he met some of the families affected by the tragedy and other local groups and faith leaders impacted by the violence.

Palace sources confirmed to PEOPLE that the King planned to met privately with the victims’ families in London on Aug. 21.