William meets five-year-old survivor of Christchurch attacks
The Duke of Cambridge has visited a young survivor of the Christchurch mosque attacks at her hospital bedside after she woke from a coma earlier this week.
Five-year-old Alen Alsati was badly hurt in the shootings last month alongside her father Wasseim.
She was visited by William at an Auckland hospital on Thursday as part of the duke’s two-day visit to New Zealand.
The Duke of Cambridge meets five year old Alen Alsati, who is recovering in Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland after being injured in the Christchurch mosques terrorist attack.
Alen woke from a coma earlier this week after suffering critical injuries in the attack. pic.twitter.com/XcNAsIw7xt
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 25, 2019
Kensington Palace tweeted a touching video of the private meeting, which showed William sitting on the edge of her bed at Starship Children’s Hospital.
“Do you have a daughter?” Alen asked inquisitively.
“Yes,” said William, “she’s called Charlotte. She’s about the same age as you.”
Alen and her father were among the dozens of people injured when a gunman opened fire during Friday prayers at two mosques on March 15. Fifty people were killed in the shootings.
The Duke of Cambridge meets Muslim community leaders in Christchurch to thank them for their work bringing the community together following the Christchurch mosques terrorist attack. pic.twitter.com/HjCgNdDnM3
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 25, 2019
After meeting Alen, William flew to Christchurch to meet police and first responders who were among the first on the scene of the attacks.
He later had a private meeting with Muslim community leaders, thanking them for bringing the community together after the tragedy.
The duke is due to meet more of those affected by the attacks on the final day of his trip on Friday.