In its darkest hours a nation looks to its figureheads for guidance and reassurance. And following the Manchester Arena terror attack in May 2017 the Queen, who died on Thursday aged 96, responded with a typical humanity and compassion.
In a statement released the day after the atrocity, when 22 people were killed and hundreds more injured when Salman Abedi denotated a suicide bomb in the foyer of Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert, the Queen expressed her 'deepest sympathy', while thanking the members of the emergency services for their 'professionalism and care'.
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She said: "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."
Two days later, on May 25, the Queen visited Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where she spoke to youngsters injured in the blast. They included 15-year-old Millie Robson, who was wearing a Ariana Grande T-shirt.
She told the Queen how she met the singer backstage at the concert after winning VIP tickets but suffered leg injuries as she was caught up in the attack while leaving the venue. Millie, along with her friend Laura, had just spotted father David Robson who was meeting them outside when the bomb went off.
"I was in the foyer bit, I was just walking out to meet my dad because he was picking me and my friend up from the concert - and then it just went off behind me,” she said after the royal visit.
“I just remember the explosion in my ears - it just started ringing for ages. People were screaming." Describing her reaction to the Queen's visit, Millie said: "She was lovely. It was mind-blowing really. You don’t really expect it."
The royal described the atrocity as 'very alarming' and wished Millie, from County Durham, a speedy recovery. "It's not something you expect at all," the Queen said to father David. The Queen also met staff who had worked through the night, shaking hands and sharing words with many, before visiting the ward where four young girls, injured in the concert blast, are recovering.
Another of the girls, Evie Mills, 14, from Harrogate, has had an operation on her legs and chest. The Queen told victim Evie and her parents: "It’s dreadful. Very wicked. To target that sort of thing."
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