Kate Middleton, Prince William Honor Victims Of Terrorist Attack At 2017 Ariana Grande Concert

Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton are remembering the victims of a 2017 terrorist attack in Manchester, England.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a poignant trip to the city Tuesday to honor the 22 people who were killed and hundreds more who were injured in a suicide bombing that took place during an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017. Terrorist Salman Abedi set off the bomb and died at the scene.

Ahead of the five-year anniversary of the tragedy, the couple attended the official opening of the memorial to the victims of the attack, People reported.

Prince William and Middleton attended a service at the Glade of Light memorial, which depicts a white marble halo and bears the names of those killed, many of whom were young fans. The memorial is situated alongside the city's cathedral.

The duchess donned a navy blue Michael Kors coat dress for the occasion. She paired it with dark blue pumps from Rupert Sanderson, a matching mini handbag and a blue-and-gold pendant necklace from Astley Clarke, according to Harper's Bazaar.

Middleton also paid tribute to the city with her honeycomb earrings. The worker bee is one of the most well-known symbols of Manchester for over 150 years and is part of the Manchester City Council's coat of arms, denoting the residents' work ethic and the city's hive of activity, according to the city.

The bee also became a symbol of the city's unity against hate and terrorism following the 2017 attack, having been used in graffiti and worn to show support for the collective fight against violence and intimidation.

Prince William delivered an emotional speech at the event. The Duke of Cambridge, who lost his mother Princess Diana at a young age and his grandfather Prince Philip last year, spoke about grief and pain and recalled his visit to Manchester following the attack in 2017.

"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," he said. "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, has not gone away."

The second in line to the British throne added: "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."

The suicide bomber's brother Hashem Abedi was sentenced in August 2020 to at least 55 years in prison for his part in helping plan and carry out the deadly Manchester Arena attack.

Following the bombing, Grande postponed the dates of her tour to pay respect to the victims. She returned to the U.K. two weeks later to hold the One Love Manchester concert, which honored the victims and benefited those affected by it.

Grande’s concert, which featured artists such as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Coldplay, raised more than $13 million for the victims of the attack, Time reported, citing the British Red Cross.