Manchester unites to remember bomb attack victims one year on
Survivors, families of the victims, first responders and VIPs gathered in Manchester to mark the first anniversary of a bomb attack that killed 22 people leaving an Ariana Grande concert.
A city in grief
Hundreds of flowers were laid in Manchester's central St. Ann's Square in a floral tribute to honor those who lost their lives. The city organized several events to mark the anniversary, including a memorial service attended by Prime Minister Theresa May and a choral concert by 3,000 singers.
VIPs on hand
UK Prime Minister Theresa May arrived at "The Manchester Arena National Service of Commemoration at Manchester Cathedral" in the afternoon. Earlier, she wrote a commentary in the Manchester Evening News, saying that "such appalling acts of wickedness will do nothing but strengthen our resolve to defeat such twisted ideologies and beliefs."
Opposition leader in attendance
Opposition leader and head of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (l.) also attended the memorial service, sitting two seats down from Prime Minister Theresa May. Other leaders seen during the service included Manchester Mayor and former Labour government minister Andy Burnham and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon.
A royal welcome
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, was welcomed with a round of applause outside the cathedral, as the Royal Family appears to enjoy a rise in popularity following William's brother Harry's wedding the previous weekend. William shared a reading from the Book of Corinthians - one that had been read at his mother Diana's funeral in 1997.
Ariana Grande remembers attack
Ariana Grande shared a tweet, saying she was thinking of all her fans "on this challenging day." The superstar featured a bee in her tweet — a symbol for the city of Manchester. Last year, Grande had organized a benefit concert for the victims two weeks after the attack, which featured several high profile performers from the US and the UK.
The investigation continues
The attack after the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017 came as part of a series of attacks in the UK that year. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bombing and have requested the extradition of the attacker's brother from Libya for questioning as part of the investigation. Authorities believe that a terrorist ring may be involved.