Prince William visits Manchester
The Duke signs book of condolence
The Duke of Cambridge has been in Manchester to acknowledge and thank the people of the city for their strength, decency and kindness.
He visited Greater Manchester Police HQ to meet officers who were among the first to respond to the bombing.
He spoke to police officers who were involved in the response to the May 22 attack at Manchester Arena.
The Duke was able to hear about the force's immediate response to the bombing, which killed 22, and how officers dealt with issues more widely across the city in the days that followed.
He spoke to some of the first responders on the scene, including Pc Michael Buckley, 47, who was off duty on the night of the bombing and waiting for his daughter Stephanie, 15, who had been at the Ariana Grande concert.
Mr Buckley tended to the injured in between trying to contact his daughter, who suffered concussion and some crush injuries in the attack.
He said: I eventually met her in a hotel in the early hours of the morning.
She just ran to me and grabbed hold of me but I couldn't hold her because I was covered
in other people's blood.
Speaking about the scene in the arena, he said: When I walked into the foyer of the
arena it was absolute devastation, there were people screaming, others crying
and others making no sound at all.
I knew my daughter was in there somewhere.''
Mr Buckley said the Duke asked him about the incident. He added: He was asking if we
were getting enough support.It's nice that he took the time out to come and show us what we did is appreciated.''
William also spoke to Christopher Jenkins, 29, a PCSO who was off duty on the night of
the bombing but he lives close to the arena and was one of the first on the
scene.
Mr Jenkins said: It was absolute chaos. People were screaming and running in different
directions.I was just trying to feed back to communications as much as I
could.''
He added:Prince William was asking us about what happened. He's a good lad.
He was showing us respect and showing us gratitude for what we did.''
The Duke later visited Manchester Cathedral, where he met volunteers and workers who had helped following the bombing.
He praised the response of people in the city in the wake of the attack.
In a book of condolence at the cathedral, he wrote: Manchester's strength and
togetherness is an example to the world.
My thoughts are with all those affected.''
Haseeb Khan, 23, who with twin brother Bilal delivered food and water to emergency
workers the day after the attack, said: He said we were a shining light for
the young Manchester community and I think those words will stay with me for a
long time.''
William also met Ventnor Brewer, studio manager of the Sacred Tattoo Studio in Chorlton, one of the tattoo parlours which has been offering bee tattoos to raise money for victims of the bombing.
The 37-year-old said: I think everyone has conveyed to him the resilience of the
city.There are some beautiful people here today and it's a privilege to share their stories.''
Mr Brewer was asked by the Duke if his tattoos, which were visible on his neck, went
all the way down'' and replied:Pretty much.''
William later made a private visit to Manchester Children's Hospital to meet attack victims and their families.