Prince William speaks of his personal grief in heartfelt speech at opening of Manchester bombing memorial
Prince William has touched on the loss of his mother, Princess Diana, in a moving message to victims of an Ariana Grande concert terror attack.
The Duke of Cambridge spoke of his personal grief at the official opening of the Glade of Light Memorial, which commemorates the lives lost in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
"As someone who lives with his own grief, I also know that what often matters most to the bereaved is that those we have lost are not forgotten," Prince William said.
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The Duke of Cambridge spoke of his personal grief during a heartfelt speech at the official opening of the Glade of Light Memorial in Manchester on Tuesday AP
"There is comfort in remembering. In acknowledging that, while taken horribly soon, they lived. They changed our lives. They were loved, and they are loved.
"It is why memorials such as the Glade of Light are so important. Why Catherine and I so wanted to be amongst you today."
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The Duchess of Cambridge was by her husband's side for the unveiling of the memorial, which not only honours the 22 dead but serves to remember everyone left injured or affected by the incident.
The Duchess of Cambridge was by her husband's side for the unveiling of the memorial, which not only honours the 22 dead but serves to remember everyone left injured or affected by the incident Jon Super-WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Duchess of Cambridge introduces herself to Archie McWilliams, aged 7, from the First Longford Scout Group in Stretford, and his uncle Greater Manchester West Scouts' County Commissioner Andy Farrell, as they leave after attending the launch of the Glade of Light Memorial, outside Manchester Cathedral AP
In a nod to the community, Kate wore earrings featuring a bee, the local symbol of Manchester.
Designer Andy Thomson, who was chosen following an international design competition, showed the royal couple around the memorial.
The Duchess laid some flowers at the site, located alongside Manchester Cathedral, before the pair went inside the church to meet with bereaved families and those involved in the rescue efforts.
Kate wore earrings featuring a bee, the local symbol of Manchester AP
The Duchess laid some flowers at the site, located alongside Manchester Cathedral, before the pair went inside the church to meet with bereaved families Jon Super-WPA Pool/Getty Images
The 39-year-old Duke travelled from London to Manchester after attending the State Opening of Parliament for the first time earlier in the day.
Prince William was welcomed into the House of Lords alongside his father, Prince Charles, as they stood in for the Queen.
The memorial designer Andy Thomson, left, the director of BCA Landscape and Joanne Roney, right, the chief executive of Manchester City Council show Prince William and his wife Kate around as they attend the launch of the Glade of Light Memorial garden, outside Manchester Cathedral, which commemorates the victims of a suicide bomb attack at a 2017 Ariana Grande concert, in Manchester, England, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. AP
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