The royal couple have opened a memorial to the victims of the Manchester terror attack. In a speech, Prince William also spoke about his own grief management.
It was a sad occasion for which Prince William and his wife, Duchess Kate, traveled to Manchester on Tuesday. The Cambridges opened a memorial commemorating the victims of the 2017 shooting. After an Ariana Grande concert, 22 people died and hundreds of concert-goers were injured.
For the “Glade of Light” memorial, the names of the victims were engraved on white marble stones. The relatives could also have memorabilia and messages embedded in the memorial. Duchess Kate, who with her bee earrings reminded of the city’s symbol of strength and cohesion, laid flowers at the appointment.
“It’s comforting to remember”
The couple also spoke at a private reception with bereaved families and members of the emergency services who were at the scene in 2017. Prince William gave a speech and also described his very personal experience with grief.
“As someone who lives with their own grief, I also know that what is often most important to the bereaved is that those we have lost are not forgotten. It is comforting to be remembered,” explained the son of the 1997 late Princess Diana and added: “They changed our lives. They were loved and they are loved. That’s why monuments like the ‘Glade of Light’ are so important. That’s why Kate and I wanted to be with you today so much.”
Appearance at the opening of Parliament
In the morning, Prince William appeared at an important appointment in London. He accompanied his father, Prince Charles, who represented Queen Elizabeth II at the opening of the British Parliament. Prince Charles’ wife, Duchess Camilla, was also present at the appearance, which the press described as a “historic moment”.
With two exceptions, the Queen has always opened Parliament during her 70-year reign. A statement from Buckingham Palace said she was still struggling with mobility issues and was “reluctant” to make the decision to cancel.
