‘We are united in our sadness and pray for those affected’
THE Queen led a minute’s silence to the victims of the Grenfell Tower blaze on her official birthday.
Glorious sunshine and blue skies greeted the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Horse Guards parade.
But the centuries-old spectacle was overshadowed by the tower block inferno and terror attacks.
In a message, the Queen said: “Today is traditionally a day of celebration. This year, however, it WILL STONE is difficult to escape a very sombre national mood. In recent months, the country has witnessed a succession of terrible tragedies.
“As a nation, we continue to reflect and pray for all those who have been directly affected by these events.
“Put to the test, the United Kingdom has been resolute in the face of adversity.
“United in our sadness, we are equally determined, without fear or favour, to support all those rebuilding lives so horribly affected by injury and loss.
“During recent visits in Manchester and London, I have been profoundly struck by the immediate inclination of people throughout the country to offer comfort and support to those in desperate need.”
The Queen does not usually issue a message on her official birthday but used the moment to acknowledge the recent tragedies.
She observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the fire alongside the wives, girlfriends and other relatives of the men on parade.
Prime Minister Theresa May, who has faced criticism for her handling of the tragedy, was not at the event.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the PM was chairing a crossgovernment meeting on the Grenfell tragedy before meeting with victims’s families at No 10.
The Queen appeared close to tears when she visited west London to meet victims and firefighters on Friday with Prince William.
After the visit her birthday honours list was announced. Among the awards was a posthumous George Medal for Pc Keith Palmer who was stabbed to death in the Westminster terror attack.
The Queen had also visited the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital following the Manchester Arena attack in which 22 people were killed.