Wednesday 15 June 2022 12:52 AM Grenfell lights up the west London skyline as its bathed in green light to ... trends now

Wednesday 15 June 2022 12:52 AM Grenfell lights up the west London skyline as its bathed in green light to ... trends now
Wednesday 15 June 2022 12:52 AM Grenfell lights up the west London skyline as its bathed in green light to ... trends now

Wednesday 15 June 2022 12:52 AM Grenfell lights up the west London skyline as its bathed in green light to ... trends now

Grenfell Tower was last night illuminated in a striking light display as parts of London fell silent in a poignant tribute to the 72 victims of the deadly blaze who died five years ago.

The 220ft tower lit up the west London skyline as it was bathed in a glow of green light, matching the colours worn by campaigners who have adopted the powerful symbol to represent the memory of those lost in the tragedy. 

The Grenfell United twitter account later tweeted: '72 beams of light reminding those in power we're here to stay.'

Almost 20,000 people joined the bereaved families, survivors, firefighters, politicians and musicians who united on the streets of north Kensington on Tuesday evening as they conducted a silent walk in memory of the dozens killed on June 14, 2017.

Mourners donned green scarves and clothing to match the green hearts which adorn the wall below Grenfell Tower. Green balloons were later released in memory of the 18 children who perished in the deadly blaze. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were pictured with survivors of the fire along with bereaved relatives at a memorial service also attended by MPs including Theresa May, who was prime minister at the time of the tragedy.

With Prince William looking on, Kate laid a wreath with white flowers at the base of Grenfell Tower to mark the five-year anniversary of the deadly fire. Afterwards, both bowed their hoods and paused for a moment of reflection.

It was also revealed the Duke and Duchess had held a private meeting earlier on Tuesday between the royal couple and those directly affected by the disaster.

The royal couple have long supported survivors and the families who died in the fire on June 14, 2017, which was accelerated by deadly combustible cladding and where many of those who died had been told to stay in their flats. 72 people died in the tragedy - but more are feared to have perished but were never identified.

Attendees marked the memorial with a 72-second silence in memory of the 72 victims of the fire, which took place exactly five years ago, was observed by attendees including William and Kate, and followed by applause. 

Eight-year-old Ayeesha, who survived the fire, also recited a poem she wrote called Never Forget, which was met with raucous applause from both Prince William and Kate.

She said: 'We will stay strong, we will rise up as a community, we will fight for justice together, we will always remember our friends and our neighbours, we will always remember our home.

'We can't change the past but we can change the future. Never forget.'

The little girl smiled as she ended the poem and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge could be seen smiling as they joined in applause.

And today with tears streaming down the faces of mourners, dressed in green and clutching photographs of their loved ones, the fifth anniversary was marked.  

Grenfell Tower was last night illuminated in glow of dazzling green light as it put on a striking light display

Grenfell Tower was last night illuminated in glow of dazzling green light as it put on a striking light display

Dozens of firefighters with the London Fire Brigade fall silent as they remember the 72 lives which were lost during the deadly Grenfell Tower blaze in 2017

Dozens of firefighters with the London Fire Brigade fall silent as they remember the 72 lives which were lost during the deadly Grenfell Tower blaze in 2017

Almost 20,000 people joined the bereaved families, survivors, residents, politicians and musicians who united on the streets of north Kensington on Tuesday evening as they conducted a silent walk

Almost 20,000 people joined the bereaved families, survivors, residents, politicians and musicians who united on the streets of north Kensington on Tuesday evening as they conducted a silent walk

Participants of the fifth annual silent walk march hold placards aloft as they pay tribute to the victims of Grenfell

Participants of the fifth annual silent walk march hold placards aloft as they pay tribute to the victims of Grenfell

Prince William shakes the hand of two young attendees at the Grenfell Tower memorial service in London

Prince William shakes the hand of two young attendees at the Grenfell Tower memorial service in London

With Prince William looking on, Kate laid a wreath with white flowers at the base of Grenfell Tower to mark the five-year anniversary of the deadly fire. Both bowed their hoods and paused for a brief moment of reflection

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge speak with survivors and bereaved children during a memorial service to mark the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge speak with survivors and bereaved children during a memorial service to mark the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire

Hundreds of mourners attended Tuesday's service of remembrance - marking five years since the Grenfell Tower tragedy

Hundreds of mourners attended Tuesday's service of remembrance - marking five years since the Grenfell Tower tragedy

A young schoolgirl is pictured laying flowers at the site of the Grenfell Tower memorial in north Kensington on Tuesday

A young schoolgirl is pictured laying flowers at the site of the Grenfell Tower memorial in north Kensington on Tuesday

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives during their unannounced visit to the memorial service at the base of Grenfell Tower earlier today

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives during their unannounced visit to the memorial service at the base of Grenfell Tower earlier today

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stood shoulder-to-shoulder with survivors of the fire along with bereaved relatives at Tuesday's memorial service

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stood shoulder-to-shoulder with survivors of the fire along with bereaved relatives at Tuesday's memorial service 

William and Kate have long supported survivors and families who died in the tragedy, which took 72 lives when a fire took hold in the tower block on June 14, 2017

Eight-year-old Ayeesha reads her poem 'Never Forget'

Prince William and Kate

Eight-year-old Ayeesha, who survived the fire, recited a poem she wrote called Never Forget which was met with raucous applause from both Prince William and Kate

Hundreds gathered at the base of Grenfell Tower in north Kensington, London as they watched the memorial service get underway

Hundreds gathered at the base of Grenfell Tower in north Kensington, London as they watched the memorial service get underway

Rapper Stormzy watched on as a wreath laying ceremony was displayed on big screens at the base of Grenfell Tower

Rapper Stormzy watched on as a wreath laying ceremony was displayed on big screens at the base of Grenfell Tower

Hamid Ali Jafari staples to a tribute wall at Grenfell Tower a photo of his father, Ali Yawar Jafari, who died in the Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, 2022 in London, England

Hamid Ali Jafari staples to a tribute wall at Grenfell Tower a photo of his father, Ali Yawar Jafari, who died in the Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, 2022 in London, England

People read the written tributes left to victims of the deadly Grenfell Tower fire on Tuesday, June 14

People read the written tributes left to victims of the deadly Grenfell Tower fire on Tuesday, June 14

Prince William and Kate Middleton look sombre as they attend a memorial service marking the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy

Prince William and Kate Middleton look sombre as they attend a memorial service marking the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy

William and Kate sit among the congregation during the unannounced visit to today's wreath laying service at the base of Grenfell Tower

William and Kate sit among the congregation during the unannounced visit to today's wreath laying service at the base of Grenfell Tower

After each group of names was read out, the congregation said in unison 'Forever in our hearts' - the phrase emblazoned across the top of the covered-up tower in north Kensington. Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge today

After each group of names was read out, the congregation said in unison 'Forever in our hearts' - the phrase emblazoned across the top of the covered-up tower in north Kensington. Pictured: The Duchess of Cambridge today

The Duke of Cambridge is pictured addressing fellow attendees at the Grenfell Tower memorial on Tuesday as he and the Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise visit

The Duke of Cambridge is pictured addressing fellow attendees at the Grenfell Tower memorial on Tuesday as he and the Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise visit 

Prince William speaks at the memorial service at the base of Grenfell Tower. Mourners were dressed in green and clutching photographs of loved ones

Prince William speaks at the memorial service at the base of Grenfell Tower. Mourners were dressed in green and clutching photographs of loved ones

William and Kate were present as the congregation took part in the special service to commemorate those lost in the tragedy

William and Kate were present as the congregation took part in the special service to commemorate those lost in the tragedy

Grenfell survivors and bereaved relatives are releasing 18 green balloons from the base of the west London tower to represent each child who died there five years ago. Pictured: Prince William speaks with fellow attendees on Tuesday afternoon

Grenfell survivors and bereaved relatives are releasing 18 green balloons from the base of the west London tower to represent each child who died there five years ago. Pictured: Prince William speaks with fellow attendees on Tuesday afternoon

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chatted with attendees before taking their seats in the front row for a multi-faith service at the base of the north Kensington high-rise on Tuesday

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chatted with attendees before taking their seats in the front row for a multi-faith service at the base of the north Kensington high-rise on Tuesday

It is one of several events at which Grenfell survivors, the bereaved and the community will gather on Tuesday, five years on from the deadliest domestic blaze since the Second World War

It is one of several events at which Grenfell survivors, the bereaved and the community will gather on Tuesday, five years on from the deadliest domestic blaze since the Second World War

The Duke of Cambridge is pictured arriving at the memorial service on Tuesday afternoon

The Duke of Cambridge is pictured arriving at the memorial service on Tuesday afternoon

The 72 victims who lost their lives in the deadly Grenfell Tower blaze 
Mohammad al-Haj Ali, 23  Sakina, 65, and Fatema Afrasehabi, 59  Fathia Ahmed, 71, Abufars Ibrahim, 39, and daughter Isra Ibrahim, 35  Raymond Bernard, 63  Kamru Miah, 79, Rabeya Begum, 64, Mohammed Hamid, 27, Mohammed Hanif, 26 and Husna Begum, 22  Maria del Pilar Burton, 72  Ali Yawar Jafari, 81 Amna Mahmud Idris, 27  Victoria King, 71, and Alexandra Atala, 40  Tony Disson, 65  Rania Ibrahim, and her young children Fethia and Hania  Vincent Chiejina, 60  Joseph Daniels, 69  Mariem, 27, and Eslah Elgwahry, 64 Hesham Rahman, 57  Gary Maunders, 57  Hashim Kedir, 44, Nura Jemal, 35, Firdows Hashim, 12, Yahya Hashim, 13, and Yaqub Hashim, six Gloria Trevisan, 26, and Marco Gottardi, 27 Khadija Saye, 24 Mary Mendy, 54 Hamid Kani, 60  Deborah Lamprell, 45  Abdulaziz El-Wahabi, 52, Faouzia, 41, Yasin, 20, daughter Nur Huda, 16, and son Mehdi, eight  Ligaya Moore, 78  Dennis Murphy, 56  Mohamed Neda, 57  Mohamednur Tuccu, 44, his wife Amaya Tuccu-Ahmedin and  Amal Ahmedin, three Omar Belkadi, 32, Farah Hamdan, 31, and daughters Malak, seven, and six-month-old Leena Berkti, 29, and Biruk Haftom, 12 Khadija Khalloufi, 52  Steve Power, 63  Jessica Urbano Ramirez, 12  Zainab Deen, 32, and her son Jeremiah, 2  Logan Gomes  Abdeslam Sebbar, 67  Sheila Smith, 84  Marjorie, 68, and Ernie Vital, 50 Isaac Paulos, 5  Nadia, Bassem, Sirria, Mierna, Fatima and Zeinab Choucair 

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Tuesday marked the latest public show of support from the Cambridges.

William, along with his grandmother, the Queen, visited the site in west London in the days following the fire in June 2017.

And the Duke was joined by his wife when they met with survivors as part of the launch of the National Emergencies Trust in 2019.

It comes as local residents praised the appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as 'huge' for the community and showed they 'shared that feeling' of mourning on the fifth anniversary.

Mother-of-five Muna Hussain said her children went to the same school as five of those who died in the fire and her household was evacuated in the days following.

When asked about William and Kate's appearance at the service, Ms Hussain, 50 said: 'I was happy.

'I was glad to see at least they know how we are feeling as a community and they shared that feeling.

'It makes me very happy. It's massive, it's huge for us. It makes you feel better.'

Today's congregation, organised by campaigners with Grenfell United, stood as the Westminster Abbey special service choir sang Psalm 102:1: 'Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee.'

Mrs May, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Housing Secretary Michael Gove, former building safety and fire minister Stephen Greenhalgh, and shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy sat to the side of the pulpit. Journalist Jon Snow sat in the front row and also spoke to the congregation.

The names of the 72 men, women and children

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