Queen Elizabeth calls Manchester bombing ‘very wicked’ as she comforts victims
Queen Elizabeth has visited victims of the Manchester bombing attack.
The 91-year-old visited a Manchester hospital to meet victims, 12 of whom were under 16, following the suicide bombing on Monday.
The monarch also met paramedics who were first on the scene and staff who worked through the night at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
22 people were killed in the bombing, including 29-year-old gay man Martyn Hett, with 64 people injured.
Meeting Evie Mills, 14, and her parents, the Queen slammed the terrorists, saying: “It’s dreadful. Very wicked, to target that sort of thing.”
She also said Ariana Grande sounds “very very good” to another, 15-year-old Millie Robson, who was wearing an Ariana Grande T-shirt as she met the Queen.
She described the atrocity as “very alarming” and wished Millie a speedy recovery.
“It’s not something you expect at all,” the Queen said to her father, David, who was waiting at the exit of the arena for Millie when the bomb exploded.
RELATED: Family of Martyn Hett issue emotional statement following his murder.
It comes a day after she ordered a minute’s silence at Buckingham Palace following the attack.
The monarch and her husband appeared on the steps of the palace to pay tribute to the victims of the concert bombing.
Members of the royal family, palace staff and guests went silent for a minute in tribute to the victims.
The Queen labelled the attack, which Islamic State has claimed responsibility for, as an “act of barbarity”.
The Queen issued a statement 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.
“I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured.
“I want to thank all the members of the emergency services who have responded with such professionalism and care.
“And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity.”
RELATED: Mariah Carey pays tribute to her super fan killed in the Manchester bombing.
The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, and Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, also issued their condolences.
The message said: “Like everyone, Catherine, Harry and I are left shocked and saddened by the tragedy that unfolded in Manchester overnight.
“Hundreds of friends, parents, children, and partners are confronting unimaginable grief today, and we send our thoughts to them all.
“We also send our thanks to the people of Manchester for their display of strength, decency, and community that is an example to the world.”
A spokesman for Ariana Grande confirmed the singer is “okay”, writing: “We are further investigating what happened”.
The star posted on Twitter that she felt “broken” by the attack.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
The 23-year-old American singer posted a tweet to her 45 million followers saying: “From the bottom of my heart, I am so so sorry. I don’t have words.”
