The Queen has arrived at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to meet with young victims of Monday's terror attack in the city. The monarch arrived at around 11.30am at the hospital, where 14 young victims are being treated – five of them in critical care. She is also due to meet some of the staff who worked tirelessly throughout the night in the aftermath of the atrocity.
It comes on the same day that the NHS confirmed that 116 people have been admitted to hospital in total, in relation to the incident. Of those, 75 were still in hospital as of Thursday morning, 25 in critical care. The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital is treating 14 under-16s.
The Queen spoke to 15-year-old Millie Robson during her hospital visit
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During her visit, the Queen spent time speaking to 14-year-old Evie Mills - who had received the concert tickets as a birthday present - and her parents. "It's dreadful. Very wicked. To target that sort of thing," she told the teenager. She then reassured the family that "everyone is united" following the attack. The monarch also met with Millie Robson, 15, who was wearing an Ariana Grande T-shirt as she spoke to her VIP guest. The Queen asked Millie if she had enjoyed the concert prior to the attack, with the girl revealing she had won VIP passes and had met the pop star backstage.
On Tuesday, the Queen paid tribute to the victims of the terror attack, and praised the emergency services for their professionalism and care. In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, she said: "The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert. I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured.
The monarch also spent time with Evie Mills and her family
"I want to thank all the members of the emergency services, who have responded with such professionalism and care. And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity. ELIZABETH R."
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