Ariana Grande ‘turns down Damehood’ out of respect for Manchester terror attack victims
The singer didn’t want to accept the honour so soon after the attack
Author: Nathan KatnoriaPublished 30th Dec 2018
Ariana Grande has reportedly turned down the offer of a Damehood from the Queen in order to respect the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack and their families.
After the horrific attack at her concert in May last year, Ariana returned to Manchester to visit her injured fans in hospital and organised the One Love Manchester charity gig, which raised millions of pounds.
Her response to the ordeal is thought to have lead to her being offered the honour, which she ‘politely declined’.
“Ariana was flattered but said it was too soon,” a source said.
They added, “She explained she was still grieving. So were scores of families. She feared some affected might see it as insensitive. The committee wrote to her but she politely said no.”
Another source close to the singer said, “She was deeply moved and honoured. She didn’t decline it as such but explained it was not the right time to accept.”
Check out Ariana Grande's complete transformation:
June 2010
We won't rest till this is brought back as the Sweetener album cover.
Ariana Grande ‘turns down Damehood’ out of respect for Manchester terror attack victims
2 of 20
August 2020
Can we COPE with this hairstyle change? Ofc. Pigtails all the way.
June 2010
We won't rest till this is brought back as the Sweetener album cover.
March 2010
Going for Loud era Rihanna red extensions are we, hun?
June 2010
How fresh-faced does Ari look at the The Twilight Saga: Eclipse premiere back in 2010, please? Sidenote how is that movie EIGHT years old?
July 2011
When you whip out your overpriced 'vintage' Urban Outfitters camera and think you're Rankin.
November 2012
We don't know what we miss more; Ari's red hair or our collection of official One Direction Sharpies.
April 2013
The accessories are a bit 'Pixie Lott does V Festival 2012,' but we're HERE for it.
May 2013
This genuinely might've been the first time we ever saw Ari in black. She's also just on the cusp of UK stardom with her debut album Yours Truly at this point.
November 2013
Obsessed with the ombre 'do and strapless sequin look from the 2013 AMAs.
December 2013
NO PONYTAIL? WHAT IS HAPPENING?
March 2014
The Nickelodeon-inspired clutch, though. Iconic.
August 2014
Er, talk about a glow up.
August 2015
Living for the space buns. LI. VING.
February 2016
Ari's most sophisticated look yet for the 2016 Grammy Awards?
August 2016
Bangs bangs into the room. Ahem.
November 2016
Rapunzel, let down your huuur.
May 2018
Back to the Focus era blonde for No More Tears Left to Cry.
October 2018
Light blonde transforms into honey curls with gloss and bronze in October of 2018 for Ari.
April 2019
By April 2019 she's back to a sleek dark pony with darker eye makeup and some more casual streetwear looks.
January 2020
Who could forget Ari's absolutely ICONIC Grammys look?
August 2020
Can we COPE with this hairstyle change? Ofc. Pigtails all the way.
June 2010
We won't rest till this is brought back as the Sweetener album cover.
March 2010
Going for Loud era Rihanna red extensions are we, hun?
June 2010
How fresh-faced does Ari look at the The Twilight Saga: Eclipse premiere back in 2010, please? Sidenote how is that movie EIGHT years old?
July 2011
When you whip out your overpriced 'vintage' Urban Outfitters camera and think you're Rankin.
November 2012
We don't know what we miss more; Ari's red hair or our collection of official One Direction Sharpies.
April 2013
The accessories are a bit 'Pixie Lott does V Festival 2012,' but we're HERE for it.
May 2013
This genuinely might've been the first time we ever saw Ari in black. She's also just on the cusp of UK stardom with her debut album Yours Truly at this point.
November 2013
Obsessed with the ombre 'do and strapless sequin look from the 2013 AMAs.
December 2013
NO PONYTAIL? WHAT IS HAPPENING?
March 2014
The Nickelodeon-inspired clutch, though. Iconic.
August 2014
Er, talk about a glow up.
August 2015
Living for the space buns. LI. VING.
February 2016
Ari's most sophisticated look yet for the 2016 Grammy Awards?
August 2016
Bangs bangs into the room. Ahem.
November 2016
Rapunzel, let down your huuur.
May 2018
Back to the Focus era blonde for No More Tears Left to Cry.
October 2018
Light blonde transforms into honey curls with gloss and bronze in October of 2018 for Ari.
April 2019
By April 2019 she's back to a sleek dark pony with darker eye makeup and some more casual streetwear looks.
January 2020
Who could forget Ari's absolutely ICONIC Grammys look?
August 2020
Can we COPE with this hairstyle change? Ofc. Pigtails all the way.
The One Love Manchester benefit concert, organised and hosted by Ariana just weeks after the attack, included performances from some of the music industry’s biggest stars including Little Mix, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, and raised over £2million during it’s broadcast.
It’s since been revealed that a total of £18.5 million was donated to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, with each of the 22 families affected receiving £260,000.
Ariana was made an honorary citizen of Manchester following her fundraising efforts and also got a tattoo of a worker bee – the symbol of Manchester – inked on her. She revealed the tattoo on Instagram earlier this year to commemorate the one year anniversary of the bombing.
NOW WATCH: Ariana Grande's Transformation - From Teenage TV Star To Worldwide Pop Sensation
Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.
