Prince William joins survivors and bereaved families at moving 7/7 memorial service
By REBECCA ENGLISH and TOM COTTERILL
Bowing his head in tribute, the Prince of Wales cut a somber figure as he laid flowers at the permanent memorial in Hyde Park in memory of the 52 people who were killed in the 7/7 attacks.
William, 43, joined survivors of the London bombings and families of the victims for a moving service at the memorial gardens in Hyde Park this afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.
Sporting a suit and tie, the future king's attendance was not announced in advance for security reasons and he was one of the last of the 500 guests to take his seat.
Due to a delay in proceedings he chatted with Themla Stober, one of the survivors, and Gerald Oppenheim, chairman of the London Bombing Relief Charitable Fund, in the tea tent some 100 yards from the memorial before the start of the service.
William spent an hour chatting with survivors and families, stopping to pose for photographs as he left.
Families, wearing a mixture of all black and brightly coloured outfits, warmly greeted one another as they arrived, a tragic indication of their shared grief.
Many walked over to the monument, comprised of 52 steel pillars representing each of the victims, to see the names of their loved ones engraved on the memorial, alongside the time of death and the date of death.
Floral tributes had been laid on a plaque embedded in the grass near the pillars listing the 52 names alphabetically earlier in the day by the Prime Minister, the Mayor of London and officials.
Prince William joined survivors and bereaved families at moving 7/7 memorial service today
Sporting a suit and tie, the future king's attendance was not announced in advance for security reasons
The Prince of Wales lay flowers at the memorial in front of bereaved families and survivors
William joined the Royal Family who led the nation today in remembering those who lost their lives
William cut a somber figure as he spoke with survivors and the families of those who lost their lives in the 7/7 attacks
The future king was one of the last of the 500 guests to take his seat and was deep in conversation with many
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Families tearfully touched the names on the plaque and paused by the wreaths, which were laid at 8:50am to coincide with the moment that the first bomb went off.
The service started 30 minutes late, delayed by long queues at the security gates, and opened with London International Gospel Choir singing Something Inside.
Mr Oppenheim then opened the service, thanking the prince for attending today, adding: 'We appreciate all you and members of the Royal Family do for survivors of the 7/7 attacks.'
He also thanked the King for his powerful statement, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh for attending the main service earlier in the day.
A minute's silence was observed, in memory of the 52 people who died and over 700 people injured in the horror bombings during London's rush hour, before a series of emotional speeches by families of the victim.
Jill Foulkes, sister of David Foulkes, said that grief never gets easier, but that 'the loss and the pain changes' over the years.
She recalled the pang in her heart after the birth of her daughter, knowing that she will never meet her uncle.
The parents of Carrie Taylor who died aged 24 at Aldgate station stood with their arms around one another as June told those gathered: 'Don't take for granted what you have but treasure every minute.'
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, joined the delegation marking the anniversary at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Monday
Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, arrives to attend a special service at St Paul's Cathedral
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among officials to join the memorial event on Monday
As her voice cracked, she read the words on her daughter's tombstone: 'Missing you is easy we do it every day, loving you is heartache will never go away.'
Survivor David Gardener read the names of the killed in the suicide attacks in central London, which saw bombs detonated on three underground train stations and a double-decker bus.
The conclusion of the service was marked by the laying of bright orange flowers on the plaque, with William joining the families in placing the blooms.
Prince William then joined the survivors and the families of the victims for a private reception at a tea tent some 100 yards from the memorial.
The King also today called on the nation to remember the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' in the face of the horrors of the July 7 bombings two decades on from the terror attack that rocked Britain.
In a message to mark the 20th anniversary of the atrocity, Charles said his 'heartfelt thoughts and special prayers' were with those who lives were 'forever changed on that terrible summer's day'.
During his emotional rallying cry, the monarch heralded the response to the 2005 bombings which showed 'the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst'.
A terrifying series of coordinated explosions hit three London Underground trains and a double-decker bus during the morning rush hour on July 7 2005, killing 52 people and injuring 700 others.
It comes as the nation marked the 20th anniversary of the terror atrocity today (pictured is the Number 30 bus which was destroyed by a suicide bomber)
The King said while those murdered by such 'senseless acts of evil' would be remembered, so too would 'the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day'.
He added: 'The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.'
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer said 'those who tried to divide us failed' adding 'we stood together then, and we stand together now'.
The Prime Minister and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am on Monday, to coincide with the moment the first bomb went off.
Officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi also laid floral tributes.
The King asked for the country to reaffirm its commitment to building a society of all faiths and backgrounds, standing against those who seek to divide us.
In his message to the nation, he added: 'Today, as we mark 20 years since the tragic events of 7th July 2005, my heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day.
'We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil - and the enduring grief of their loved ones.
The King has led tributes today honouring those killed during the July 7 attacks in 2005
On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers struck the capital's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus
'We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass.
'In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day.'
Other members of the royal family are to join services and memorials to mark the anniversary.
On behalf of the King, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended the National Service of Commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral this morning.
The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity.
Pictured right to left: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former home secretary Charles Clark, Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch and former prime minister Sir Tony Blair depart following a special service at St Paul's Cathedral, London
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was among those in attendance at the memorial event
Former prime minister Theresa May also joined this morning's commemoration. Baroness May was wearing a white dress and navy-coloured coat
He said: 'While the horrors will never be forgotten, we may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together in solidarity, solace and determination.
'It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal.
'As we remember those we lost, let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding, always standing firm against those who would seek to divide us.'
The commemoration, organised by the Mayor of London, is for those directly affected by the bombings, including survivors, grieving families and first responders.
Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the 7/7 memorial in Hyde Park in a separate service earlier on Monday morning.
Injured commuter Davinia Turrell, 24, a Spanish woman living in London during the July7 bombings in 2005, is helped away with a dressings on her facial injuries by part-time fireman Paul Dadge, 28, a project manager from Cannock, Staffordshire
Pictured is the aftermath of the suicide bomb, which ripped a hole in the side of this train when it detonated at Aldgate Tube station on July 7, 2005
The Prime Minister left a handwritten note atop an arrangement of white roses, which read: 'Our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and to the survivors of 7/7.
Paying tribute, the PM added: 'Today the whole country will unite to remember the lives lost in the 7/7 attacks, and all those whose lives were changed forever.
'We honour the courage shown that day - the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors, and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror.
'Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now- against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.'
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'Twenty years have passed since 7/7 but the passage of time makes what happened that day no less shocking. It was an appalling attack on our capital city and on democracy itself.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper appeared solemn as she arrived at the ceremony in London
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair (left), who was PM when the 2005 attacks took place, is seen leaving the commemoration service in London on Monday
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, stands outside St Paul's Cathedral as members of the Metropolitan Police salute
'As we come together to mark this anniversary, my thoughts remain with the victims, survivors and all who loved them. Amid the horror of that day, we saw the best of people, our emergency services, first responders and ordinary Londoners who bravely acted to help one another. Their courage continues to inspire us.
'We will always confront the threats facing this country to keep the public safe and preserve our way of life.'
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'Today, we stand with those who carry the pain of that day, the families, friends and colleagues of those who never came home. We will remember them always.'
The atrocity was carried out by four Islamist extremists, who were all killed in the blasts.
The bombers - Mohammad Sidique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, and 18-year-old Hasib Hussain - had left Leeds, West Yorkshire, in a rented car bound for Luton, Bedfordshire.
There they met their fourth accomplice, 19-year-old Germaine Lindsay, before heading to the capital by train.
The group, carrying their homemade bombs in large rucksacks, were chillingly caught on CCTV camera as they separated on London's transport network.
Three of them - Khan, Tanweer and Lindsay - blew themselves up on packed commuter trains in Aldgate, Edgware Road and Russell Squares stations shortly after 8.50am.
Mohammad Sidique Kha, one of the July 7 suicide bombers, is pictured in a video grab taken from the pan-Arab television TV channel Al Jazeera and aired on September 1 2005
Pictured is the devastation on the platform at Russell Square CCTV screen grabs of the aftermath of the 7/7 terror bombings
The fourth terrorist, Hussain, blew himself up almost an hour later on a bus in Tavistock Square.
The carnage of the attack was unimaginable, those who survived said.
The blast of the bombs ripped through the trains, blowing huge holes in them.
Inside the carriages it was a bloodbath. Commuters, who suffered horrific wounds, were dead on the floor - many having lost limbs.
Those who survived had been blown out onto the tracks, some having lost limbs - while others were left with bone fragments stuck in them from other victims.
On the bus, the blast ripped off the vehicles roof and killed 14 people - many of whom were trying to escape the carnage of the earlier blasts.
Two weeks later, on July 21, London once again found itself under siege as another wave of terrorists sought to bring death and destruction to the capital.
Ramzi Mohammed, Yassin Omar and Muktar Said Ibrahim attempted to carry out a second wave of bombings. But their devices failed.
The trio were later caught and jailed for life for their botched terror plo
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