King and Prime Minister lead nation remembering horror of July 7 bombings
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer said 'those who tried to divide us failed' adding 'we stood together then, and we stand together now'.
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.
The King has 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.
He said: '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.
'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.
'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.'
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 will attend the National Service of Commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral from 11.30am on Monday.
The King also stressed the importance of communities coming together in times of adversity.
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.'
Sir Keir said: '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.
'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.'
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
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Britain unites to remember victims of 7/7 bombings on 20th anniversary as Royals, PM and survivors vow never to forget
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PRINCE William led tributes to 7/7 Tube and bus bomb victims as the nation came together to mark 20 years since the 7/7 bombings. Survivors, families who lost loved ones, first responders, the Royal Family and senior politicians united to remember those who died in the terror which gripped the capital. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 12 Prince William laid flowers at the permanent memorial of 7/7 in Hyde Park Credit: Getty 12 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer left a handwritten note on top of white flowers Credit: PA 12 The No30 bus after the bomb blast in Tavistock Square Credit: PA On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers hit London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus. The attacks were the first suicide bombings on British soil and changed the country's response to terror forever. In a statement issued to mark the anniversary, Sir Keir Starmer said: '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. My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. King Charles '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.' Prince William met survivors and relatives of victims to lay flowers at the permanent memorial in Hyde Park yesterday afternoon. William, 43, joined up to 500 survivors of the bombings and families of the victims for a moving service. He spoke with Thelma Stober, one of the survivors, and Gerald Oppenheim, chairman of the London Emergencies Trust. Jill Foulkes, sister of victim David Foulkes, said that grief never got easier but that the loss and the pain changed over the years. Her brother died on his first visit to London on his own. Inside 7/7 The story behind Britain's worst ever terror attack His father, Graham, said: 'For many people, nothing was the same again and yet everything was the same — because the good which is in Londoners and the countless visitors whom they host at any given moment is not erased by hatred or threat. 'But rather it is fostered to produce a harvest of hope for each generation.' June Taylor, whose daughter Carrie died aged 24 at Aldgate station, told those gathered: 'Don't take for granted what you have but treasure every minute.' Earlier in the day, Sir Keir and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the memorial at 8.50am, to coincide with the moment that the first bomb went off. The Prime Minister left on top of white flowers a handwritten note, which read: 'Our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and to the survivors of 7/7. "Twenty years on, we grieve and we remember them.' Officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi also laid floral tributes. 12 The bombed tube train at Aldgate station Credit: Getty 12 Senior politicians in attendance included Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch Credit: Getty 12 Former PM Tony Blair was also in attendance Credit: Getty In a poignant memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral yesterday morning, 52,000 white petals rained down from the ceiling while a list of victims was read out. 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Confusion initially led to the attacks being perceived as a power surge before it became clear that it was a bombing attack, carried out by home-grown terrorists. The last of the attacks took place on the number 30 bus not far from King's Cross, at about 9.47am. Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, represented the King during the service yesterday. Charles issued a statement, highlighting comfort could be taken from the 'spirit of unity' in London and the country, which allowed the nation to heal. He said: 'My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. 12 Former Prime Minister Theresa May attended the service Credit: Getty 12 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was at the poignant memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral Credit: PA "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. 'We should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion. "We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. 'The selfless bravery of emergency services, transport workers, and citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' Senior politicians in attendance included Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and former PMs Tony Blair and Theresa May. Rob Webb, whose younger sister Laura was killed at Edgware Road, called 7/7 'an attack on all of us' that should never be forgotten. He added: 'I remain angry. Laura was denied the opportunity of a life that me and my brother have been lucky enough to have.' Bishop of London the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally said the message was one of hope, adding: 'The good that is in Londoners is not erased by hatred or threat. "Hope presents itself as a survival tool for the tenacity of the spirit that's in us all.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to 'always confront the threats facing this country'. London Mayor Sir Sadiq said Londoners 'will always choose hope over fear and unity over division'. He added: 'We remember the 52 people whose lives were stolen and our thoughts and prayers remain with their loved ones, and the more than 700 people injured by these cowardly acts of hatred.' EDGWARE ROAD 12 Families gathered to pay a touching tribute to close victims of the terror attacks on 7/7 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial TAVISTOCK SQUARE 12 Sir Keir Starmer speaks at a tribute gathering Credit: Shutterstock Editorial ALDGATE 12 Prayers after a moment's silence at Aldgate station KING'S CROSS
The Sun
an hour ago
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Britain unites to remember victims of 7/7 bombings on 20th anniversary as Royals, PM and survivors vow never to forget
PRINCE William led tributes to 7/7 Tube and bus bomb victims as the nation came together to mark 20 years since the 7/7 bombings. Survivors, families who lost loved ones, first responders, the Royal Family and senior politicians united to remember those who died in the terror which gripped the capital. 12 12 12 On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers hit London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus. The attacks were the first suicide bombings on British soil and changed the country's response to terror forever. In a statement issued to mark the anniversary, Sir Keir Starmer said: '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. My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. King Charles '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.' Prince William met survivors and relatives of victims to lay flowers at the permanent memorial in Hyde Park yesterday afternoon. William, 43, joined up to 500 survivors of the bombings and families of the victims for a moving service. He spoke with Thelma Stober, one of the survivors, and Gerald Oppenheim, chairman of the London Emergencies Trust. Jill Foulkes, sister of victim David Foulkes, said that grief never got easier but that the loss and the pain changed over the years. Her brother died on his first visit to London on his own. Inside 7/7 The story behind Britain's worst ever terror attack His father, Graham, said: 'For many people, nothing was the same again and yet everything was the same — because the good which is in Londoners and the countless visitors whom they host at any given moment is not erased by hatred or threat. 'But rather it is fostered to produce a harvest of hope for each generation.' June Taylor, whose daughter Carrie died aged 24 at Aldgate station, told those gathered: 'Don't take for granted what you have but treasure every minute.' Earlier in the day, Sir Keir and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the memorial at 8.50am, to coincide with the moment that the first bomb went off. The Prime Minister left on top of white flowers a handwritten note, which read: 'Our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives and to the survivors of 7/7. "Twenty years on, we grieve and we remember them.' Officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi also laid floral tributes. 12 12 In a poignant memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral yesterday morning, 52,000 white petals rained down from the ceiling while a list of victims was read out. Saba Edwards, the daughter of victim Behnaz Mozakka, read out the names of those killed on the Piccadilly line service between King's Cross and Russell Square. The attack was the deadliest of the four launched that day, with 26 people killed by Germaine Lindsay when he blew himself up by detonating his bomb just after the train left the station at 8.49am. Ms Edwards' voice cracked slightly as she got to her mother's name among the list of victims. I remain angry. Laura was denied the opportunity of a life that me and my brother have been lucky enough to have. Rob Webb Survivor Ms Stober then read out the names of the seven killed on the Circle Line train between Liverpool Street and Aldgate, the six who died at Edgware Road, and the 13 who lost their lives on a bus at Tavistock Square. Shehzad Tanweer detonated his bomb on the Circle Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate at 8.49am, with ringleader Mohammad Sidique Khan doing so on a Circle line train near Edgware Road. Confusion initially led to the attacks being perceived as a power surge before it became clear that it was a bombing attack, carried out by home-grown terrorists. The last of the attacks took place on the number 30 bus not far from King's Cross, at about 9.47am. Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, represented the King during the service yesterday. Charles issued a statement, highlighting comfort could be taken from the 'spirit of unity' in London and the country, which allowed the nation to heal. He said: 'My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. 12 "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. 'We should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion. "We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. 'The selfless bravery of emergency services, transport workers, and citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' Senior politicians in attendance included Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and former PMs Tony Blair and Theresa May. Rob Webb, whose younger sister Laura was killed at Edgware Road, called 7/7 'an attack on all of us' that should never be forgotten. He added: 'I remain angry. Laura was denied the opportunity of a life that me and my brother have been lucky enough to have.' Bishop of London the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally said the message was one of hope, adding: 'The good that is in Londoners is not erased by hatred or threat. "Hope presents itself as a survival tool for the tenacity of the spirit that's in us all.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to 'always confront the threats facing this country'. London Mayor Sir Sadiq said Londoners 'will always choose hope over fear and unity over division'. He added: 'We remember the 52 people whose lives were stolen and our thoughts and prayers remain with their loved ones, and the more than 700 people injured by these cowardly acts of hatred.' EDGWARE ROAD 12 TAVISTOCK SQUARE ALDGATE KING'S CROSS 12
