The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge opened Glade of Light Manchester Memorial

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a poignant visit to Manchester to officially opened the Glade of Light Memorial that commemorates the victims of the 22 May 2017 terrorist attack at Manchester Arena. The monument honors the 22 people whose lives were taken and the 100s of were left injured at the Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

In the morning, The Duke of Cambridge joined The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at the State Opening of Parliament.

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The Royal couple was joined by the bereaved families in service at the Glade Of Light monument. The names of the 22 victims of the attack were read out by the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Dr. David Walker at the ceremony that was followed by a minute’s silence. Beyonce’s hit ‘Halo’ was performed by the Manchester Survivors Choir and Parrs Wood High School Choir.

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The memorial is situated near the City cathedral and features a white marble “halo” centerpiece inscribed with the names of the 22 victims who died that day. The memorial was opened to the public in January. Manchester City Council’s chief executive, Joanne Roney, said, “The memorial is a potent symbol of how Manchester will continue to hold those who lost their lives, and everyone who was affected by those terrible events, in our hearts“. Architect Andy Thomson, who was chosen by the families to design the memorial, said, ” it was an incredible honor and responsibility. We’ve tried to put as much love and care into every little detail and hopefully that shows“.‡

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During the service, The Duchess laid a floral tribute to the victims before joining William for the tour of the memorial.

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The Duke of Cambridge gave a heart-warming speech and said,

“For Catherine and I, it is very important that we are with you here, today. To remember the twenty-two lives so brutally taken. To acknowledge the hundreds of lives that were irrevocably changed and to pay tribute to the resilience of this great City. I remember only too well the shock and grief on the faces of those I met when I visited Manchester in the days following the atrocity. And the rawness of emotion at the Commemoration Service, held at your Cathedral just here, a year later. Five years on I know that the pain and the trauma felt by many, have not gone away.

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. 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 Royal couple met with some of the bereaved families and those involved in the response effort in a private event in Manchester Cathedral.

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For the day, The Duchess of Cambridge wore her Michael Kors Twill Coat that she first wore in April 2014 during an Australia tour.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Michael Kors Twill Coat
Michael Kors Twill Coat

The jacquard swing coat has lapel collars, a front button closing with flared skirt, and flap pockets. The single-breasted flap pockets coat was from the label’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection and retailed at £1870.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Vanleles Honeycomb Bee Hoop Earrings
Vanleles Honeycomb Bee Hoop Earrings

The Duchess paired the outfit with a new pair of earrings. The earrings were a tribute to the city. The bee, which was added to Manchester’s coat of arms in the mid-19th century and represents the industrial heritage of the region, has been used as a symbol of strength following the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Astley Clarke Round Stilla Lapis Lazuli Pendant Necklace
Astley Clarke Round Stilla Lapis Lazuli Pendant Necklace

And her Astley Clarke Round Stilla Lapis Lazuli Pendant Necklace.

The Duchess of Cambridge carried Polène Numéro Sept Mini Bag
Polène Numéro Sept Mini Bag

Catherine was carrying Polène Numéro Sept Mini Bag

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Rupert Sanderson Malory Pumps
Rupert Sanderson Malory Pumps

and wore her Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps.

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