Queen Elizabeth II Surprises Manchester Bombing Victims, Condemns ‘Very Wicked’ Terror Attack

Queen Elizabeth II is making her rounds following the terror attack at Manchester Arena on Monday that left 22 dead.

The bombing was carried out by one individual, identified as Salman Abedi, though he’s thought to have been a part of a larger network planning similar such incidents elsewhere. Close to 75 people — mostly children — were injured by the improvised explosive device Abedi crafted.

Many of the surviving victims of the Manchester bombing are being treated at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Queen Elizabeth II stopped by the hospital on Thursday to visit some of the affected young people. Speaking with 14-year-old Evie Mills, the monarch reportedly condemned the horrific attack.

Read: How Manchester Bombing Accused Salman Abedi, A Drug-Addicted Dropout, Became ISIS Suicide Bomber

“It’s dreadful. Very wicked. To target that sort of thing,” Queen Elizabeth II said according to The Telegraph. She also assured Mills’ parents that “everyone is united.”

After meeting with victims of the Manchester bombing, the Queen reportedly toured the hospital. She met with doctors, nurses and other members of the facilities staff. One employee told The Telegraph the monarch spoke with him about the incident, expressing her heartbreak.

“The awful thing was that everyone was so young. The age of them,” she said.

In the wake of the incident, a number of artists have stepped up security in the hopes of avoiding similar tragedies. TMZ reports that security will be at an all time high during BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival in Hull on Saturday and Sunday. The event is already operating on “red alert level,” but sources say they plan to kick it up a notch.

While some are going to extremes to protect themselves, others refuse to allow what happened during the Ariana Grande concert derail their plans. Nicki Minaj told TMZ she won’t cancel her tour and certainly won’t be avoiding Manchester. She told cameramen working for the site doing so would be a win for terror.

“No, because we don’t operate in fear. Nope,” the “No Frauds” rapper said when asked whether she’d change tour plans. “Of course I’ma perform for my Manchester fans,” she added. “They deserve it.”

Grande, however, is taking a little break from the open road. She’s suspended the remainder of her European tour following the Manchester bombing. Grande, 23, hasn’t spoken out about the canceled tour dates, but did send one simple message to fans after the terror attack.

While the “Dangerous Woman” singer recovers from the emotional trauma she suffered, her fans are rallying around her. Many responded to her Twitter message, assuring her that there was nothing she could have done to prevent the bombing. Others wished her well as she recovered.

The music community was also quick to uplift Grande. Katy Perry, Drake, P!nk and more shared messages of love and support on Twitter and Instagram. She has yet to respond to the outpouring of love.

Read: ISIS Claims Responsibility For Manchester Bombing

It will probably be some time before fans hear from the former Nickelodeon star again. According to TMZ, she’s “in hysterics” after what happened. Sources told the publication her team is focusing first and foremost on beefing up security and keeping her safe in the future.

The investigation into the Manchester bombing is ongoing. Several arrests have been made in connection with the incident, including members of Abedi’s family. According to the Associated Press, his brothers, Ismail and Hashim Abedi, and father, Ramadan Abedi, are in police custody.