Duchess of Cambridge pays respects to Sarah Everard memorial at Clapham Common

13 March 2021, 17:29 | Updated: 14 March 2021, 09:31

Duchess of Cambridge pays respects to Sarah Everard at Clapham memorial

By Ewan Quayle

@EQjourno

The Duchess of Cambridge has paid her respects to the Sarah Everard memorial at Clapham Common after a police officer was charged with her murder.

Kate Middleton was spotted visiting the park on Saturday afternoon unannounced to observe the flowers laid at the site.

She visited shortly before an unofficial vigil took place which ended in several arrests and accusations of "manhandling" by the the police.

READ MORE: Police officer appears in court charged with Sarah Everard's kidnap and murder

READ MORE: Sarah Everard vigils cancelled after discussions with police, organisers say

Dozens of people have laid flowers at the park since detectives charged a serving police officer with her kidnap and murder.

People who intended to go to the Reclaim These Streets vigils in the wake of Sarah's murder are being encouraged to take part in planned online and doorstep events instead.

The organisers behind the event have instead called for a doorstep vigil at 9.30pm on Saturday, saying it would be joining people across the country and "shining a light, a candle, a torch, a phone, to remember Sarah Everard and all the women affected by and lost to violence".

READ MORE: Sarah Everard's body found in builder's bag and identified using dental records, court told

The events were cancelled after long discussions with Scotland Yard, where it is claimed by the group that officers would allow vigils to go ahead as an exception but later change their mind.

The group also intends to raise £320,000 for women's causes - £10K for every proposed fine for the 32 vigils originally scheduled.