A YEAR on from
Manchester Arena terror attack the
Duke of Cambridge and
Theresa May head to the city for a nationwide minute's silence in honour of the victims from that fateful day.
Prince William and Theresa May have arrived at the
Manchester Arena attack memorial service at Manchester Cathedral today, to honour the victims of those who lost their lives on that fateful day.
Mrs May is seated next to the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Nicola Sturgeon and Jeremy Corbyn.
The multi-faith service will be held from 2pm to 3pm, where all attendees will observe a minute of silence once the clock strikes 2.30pm.
Britons can view the service via a large projector screen near the Cathedral gardens, which will also be aired at York Minister, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Glasgow Cathedral.
The Duke of Cambridge will meet one-on-one with families of the victims at the end of the memorial service.
Mrs May told the Manchester Evening News: "The targeting of the young and innocent as they enjoyed a carefree night out in the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017 was an act of sickening cowardice.
"It was designed to strike at the heart of our values and our way of life in one of our most vibrant cities, with the aim of breaking our resolve and dividing us. It failed.
"For such appalling acts of wickedness will do nothing but strengthen our resolve to defeat such twisted ideologies and beliefs.
"The resilience and determination shown by this city in the 12 months since is testament to that.”
Pop singer
Ariana Grande issued a heartfelt message on social media, as friends and families of victims prepare for the one-year Manchester Arena
bombing anniversary.
She wrote: "Thinking of you all today and every day. I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day."
The 24-year-old was holding her concert at the Manchester Arena when the attacks took place, killing 22 people on May 22 last year.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Mr Burnham also tweeted: "Today we remember each of the 22 people whose lives were taken & we re-commit to supporting their families & all affected."
Local choirs are set to perform a tribute to the victims at the Manchester Together - With One Voice event at Albert Square in Manchester, from 7.30pm to 9pm.
The Manchester Survivors Choir, comprised of survivors of the attack and Parrs Wood High School's Harmony group, starred in a show stopping tribute performance of "My Everything" at Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester concert, which was viewed by millions worldwide.
The 30 minute concert will include songs from Ariana Grande's album, One Last Time, One Day Like This by Elbow, Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis and Never Forget by Take That.
Once the clock strikes 10.31pm, bells will be summoned from Manchester's Town Hall, St Ann's Church and St Mary's RC Church, to mark the time of the attack that took place last year.
The attacker, Salman Abedi, 22, killed 22 people and injured 800 after he detonated his bomb device in the packed Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, where 353 people including 175 children were present in the venue.