Royals Express Sorrow Over Manchester Attack

  May 23, 2017 at 7:36 am by

Europe’s heads of state have this morning expressed their sorrow and solidarity following the terrorist attack in Manchester last night, which killed 22 people when a bomb went off as people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. Over 50 people were injured in the attack.

Other royals also shared their messages of support on social media.

Queen Elizabeth II this morning issued a message to the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, saying “the whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert”. She also thanked first responders and the emergency services for their work; and praised the people of Manchester for their response to the “act of barbarity”.

The King and Queen of Spain have observed a minute’s silence during their event this morning in Barcelona. The Royal Court issued a statement on Twitter saying that “there are no words to condemn these murderers. The rule of law will not surrender to terrorism.”

Prince Albert II of Monaco passed his “thoughts and prayers” and “feelings of deep pain and sorrow” to the families of the victims.

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, currently on a state visit to Indonesia, called the attack a “heinous act” on the “open and tolerant society we all want to live in”. He said that it was important for everyone to remain “united together against this senseless evil”.

The Belgian Royal Court expressed their “deepest condolences” to the British people.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander described the incident as a “horrific attack” that has “hit us deeply” as it claimed the lives of so many young victims: “We sympathise deeply with all the parents who have received the dreadful news that their child has died, and with the victims’ other grieving relatives and friends.”

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has issued a statement to the British Queen expressing his and the Grand Duchess’s “great pain” upon learning of the attack: “We are particularly horrified to learn that so many young people were present and are counted amongst the victims and the wounded.”

Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece posted a black and white photo of the flags at half-mast atop 10 Downing Street, saying it was “very sad that so many children were targeted at the Manchester Arena bombing”.

A statement from Crown Princess Margareta of Romania was posted on the Romanian Royal Family’s Twitter, saying “the entire Royal Family of Romania stands alongside all the families that have lost their loved ones, as well as those who suffer from this atrocity” and reaffirming the need to “defend our common values and freedoms”.

Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy posted a message on his Instagram, “We live on such a beautiful planet but in such an ugly world… My hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected in last night’s tragic event.”

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