Glade of Light: Duke & Duchess of Cambridge to attend official opening of Manchester Arena bombing memorial

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Manchester for the official unveiling of the Glade of Light memorial.

The royal presence for the opening ceremony of the poignant city centre memorial to the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist bombing five years ago was confirmed on Wednesday (4 May).

The official opening is on Tuesday 10 May and the royal visitors will meet families of those who lost their lives in the attack as well as attending a service.

It is not the first time the Duke has been to Manchester to attend a commemoration for the Arena bombing.

How is the Glade of Light memorial being officially opened?

The royal visitors, Prince William and Duchess Catherine, will take part in the official opening ceremony for the tribute to those killed in the terror attack on Tuesday 10 May.

The monument, which is situated between Manchester Cathedral and Chetham’s School of Music, has been open to the public since the beginning of the year.

There will be a private ceremony held for the royal visitors, families of those who lost loved ones, others who were seriously affected and civic dignitaries.

The Duke will speak at a short ceremony before he and the Duchess are taken on a walk around the Glade of Light site and Her Royal Highness will lay flowers, along with Manchester City Council leader Coun Bev Craig.

The royal couple will then meet privately with families inside nearby Manchester Cathedral.

The Duke of Cambridge previously attended the national service of commemoration at the cathedral in May 2018, marking the first anniversary of the attack.

The opening ceremony for the Glade of Light comes just before the fifth anniversary of the bombing, which is on 22 May.

Manchester will mark five years since that dreadful night on the day itself, but final details of the commemorations have yet to be announced.

What is the Glade of Light?

The Glade of Light is a garden memorial created as a space for reflection and remembrance.

Its centrepiece is a striking white marble halo bearing the names of the 22 people who lost their lives at the end of the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena.

Families of those who lost their loved ones have also been able to place personalised memory capsules, containing mementos and messages, inside the halo.

Created by designers BCA Landscape and Smiling Wolf as a living memorial, the Glade of Light features plants which grow naturally in the UK countryside and have been selected to provide year-round colour and echo the changing seasons.

Around the anniversary every year, the white flowers of a hawthorn tree planted at its centre will bloom while an outer circle path, including seating, has been included to enable people to linger in the garden for longer.

What is happening in the run-up to the opening ceremony?

Manchester City Council says the central halo of the Glade of Light will be cordoned off for a few days in advance of the official opening to allow for cleaning and routine maintenance to ensure it is looking its best for the memorial event.

The site will be open throughout 22 May to anyone who wishes to pay their respects.

What has been said about the opening and the royal visit?

Joanne Roney OBE, chief executive of Manchester City Council, said: “We are honoured to be joined by their Royal Highnesses for the official opening of the Glade of Light.

“As we approach the fifth anniversary of the 22 May 2017 attack, the Glade of Light is a potent symbol of how Manchester will continue to hold those who lost their lives, and everyone who was affected by those terrible events, in our hearts.

“We will never forget them.”

Manchester City Council leader Coun Bev Craig said: “The Glade of Light memorial is a permanent fixture in the heart of our city.

“While we remember those affected every single day, as we approach the fifth anniversary it will be particularly poignant as we come together to mark its official opening.”