The Queen goes green for Grenfell as she leads nation in poignant silence for victims

Robin de Peyer14 June 2018

The Queen and the Duchess of Sussex led the nation in a poignant silence one year on from the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Silence fell over the streets surrounding the tower at midday today as the country honoured the 72 victims of the fire.

Many of those who were personally touched by the tragedy gathered near the foot of the block in west London in a ceremony which was closed to the public.

The silence was observed across the country, including at Government buildings, the Houses of Parliament and by the Queen and Meghan Markle on their first joint Royal engagement in Chester.

A minute of silence for the victims of the Grenfell Tower

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England footballers in Russia for the World Cup also marked the anniversary of the tragedy with a silence.

Moments after the 72-second silence had passed at Grenfell, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan appeared to wipe away tears as he laid a wreath of white roses.

A voiceover at the start of the ceremony in north Kensington said: "Seventy-two people lost their lives who were our family, friends and community.

A young girl at the scene of tributes one year after the disaster
Lucy Young

"We gather here today to remember them."

The Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir opened the commemoration with a rendition of Lean On Me.

The London Fire Brigade observe the silence
PA

A community mosaic was then unveiled, followed by the reading of a passage from the Koran from a lectern near the perimeter of the tower.

Tributes are laid one year after the tragedy at Grenfell
Lucy Young

Abdurahman Sayed, chief executive of the Al-Manaar mosque, said beforehand: "When residents, neighbours and strangers come from near and far in a spirit of togetherness, beautiful things can happen."

Finally, the names of all the dead - including stillborn baby Logan Gomes and Maria del Pilar Burton, who died in January - were read out by different members of the community.

After each finished their turn, they said: "Forever in our hearts."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan lays a wreath at the memorial wall by Grenfell Tower
AFP/Getty Images

The words were echoed back to them by the crowd.

A hush then fell over the gathered crowd as midday struck, all still except for the rustle of leaves in the trees.

People at the Grenfell Tower anniversary national minute silence and mosaic unveiling at the base of Grenfell Tower
PA

As the mourners stood quietly, a chill wind passed through the area - a stark contrast to the sweltering conditions on the day of the fire.

A woman covers her face during the memorial service at St Helen's Church to mark the one year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire on June 14, 2018
Getty Images

The silence was followed by the gospel choir performing Bridge Over Troubled Water, the Simon and Garfunkel song which was recorded as a single in aid of those affected.

A man wipes his eyes at a shrine commemorating the victims
Lucy Young

Members of the public were able to watch the ceremony from a giant screen erected outside nearby Kensington Aldridge Academy.

People arrive for the Grenfell Tower anniversary national minute silence and mosaic unveiling at the base of Grenfell Tower
PA

NHS support workers had also been dotted along the road in case any residents became distressed.

Parallel commemorations took place nearby, including an 11am service of remembrance at St Helen's Church.

The hollowed skeleton of Grenfell Tower - still fenced off - is cloaked in white scaffolding and topped with tributes 12 months on.

Banners bearing the giant green hearts can be seen for miles, alongside the slogan: "Grenfell: Forever in our hearts."

Lampposts, railings and zebra crossings throughout the neighbourhood were likewise festooned with green fabric, while a giant floral heart greeted commuters at nearby Latimer Road station.

The wall of handwritten tributes - last year a desperate mesh of missing posters - is now home to carefully organised shrines to the victims, lined by plant beds.

A woman lights candles as she attends a memorial service at St Helen's Church to mark the one year anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire
Getty Images

At the start of the day, 58-year-old survivor Antonio Roncolato, a former resident of the 10th floor, said: "Today is a time to reflect and to raise further awareness and make sure that the world is still listening because we don't want this to happen ever again."

A silent march is to take place around the neighbourhood on Thursday evening, attended by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

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