Princess Kate makes surprise appearance with Prince William after finishing chemotherapy

Princess Kate has made a surprise public appearance with Prince William, about a month after announcing she has completed chemotherapy.

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out Thursday in Southport, England, where they met with emergency services representatives and families of the victims of a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The attack left three girls dead in July, and a 17-year-old suspect was charged with murder.

"We continue to stand with everyone in Southport," William and Kate said on social media after Thursday's visit. "Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

This was William and Kate's first public engagement together since Kate shared a video on Sept. 9 announcing that she has completed chemotherapy. In March, the Princess of Wales announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer and would undergo preventive chemotherapy. Kate said in her September update that she is now focusing on "doing what I can to stay cancer-free," but she said that her "path to healing and full recovery" remains "long."

Princess Kate finishes chemotherapy, says she's 'doing what I can to stay cancer-free'

"I must continue to take each day as it comes," she said. "I am, however, looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can. Despite all that's gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life."

Princess Kate appears at Wimbledon amid cancer battle, receives standing ovation

King Charles III previously visited Southport in August to meet with victims of the stabbing and representatives from local emergency services.

About two weeks after Kate's video message announcing the end of her chemotherapy treatment, she was spotted joining Prince William, King Charles III and Queen Camilla for church service in Scotland last month.

Kate has made sporadic public appearances this year amid her cancer battle, including when she attended Wimbledon in July with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and received a standing ovation.

Contributing: Michael Holden, Reuters; Alistair Smou, Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kate Middleton makes appearance with Prince William in Southport visit