![Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) leave after attending the official opening of the Glade of Light memorial in Manchester, north-west England on May 10, 2022](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester01.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
After the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled to Manchester to take part in a very important memorial dedication.
![Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (2nd R) arrive to attend the official opening of the Glade of Light memorial in Manchester, north-west England on May 10, 2022](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester02.jpg?resize=1200%2C1732&ssl=1)
William and Kate were on hand for the official opening of the Glade of Light Memorial near Manchester Cathedral. The garden memorial, which opened to the public in January, is dedicated to the victims of the horrifying terrorist attack at Manchester Arena in May 2017.
![Prince William, Duke of Cambridge gives a speech as he and his wife Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge attend the launch of the Glade of Light Memorial, outside Manchester Cathedral on May 10, 2022 in Manchester, England](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1854&ssl=1)
Prince William delivered remarks during the official opening. The speech was particularly well done, I thought, drawing on his own experience of grief to connect with the families and friends of those killed in the attack. “There is comfort in remembering,” he said. “In acknowledging that, while taken horribly soon, they lived. They changed our lives. They were loved, and they are loved. It is why memorials such as the Glade of Light are so important. Why Catherine and I so wanted to be here today.” He also paid tribute to the many others affected by the attacks, from first responders and NHS staff to those who suffered from physical and mental injuries. You can read the entire speech here.
![Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge lays flowers as she and her husband Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the launch of the Glade of Light Memorial garden, outside Manchester Cathedral on May 10, 2022 in Manchester, England](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester04.jpg?resize=1200%2C1870&ssl=1)
The Cambridges also joined Manchester City councillor Bev Craig in laying flowers at the memorial during the ceremony.
![Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L) speaks with dignitaries as she departs Manchester Cathedral after attending the official opening of the Glade of Light memorial in Manchester, north-west England on May 10, 2022](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester05.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800&ssl=1)
I love when little jewelry touches add an extra dimension to a moment, and Kate accessorized her Michael Kors dress with some really lovely tribute jewels.
![Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears a bee earring design, which is a symbol of Manchester, as she leaves after attending the official opening of the Glade of Light memorial in Manchester, north-west England on May 10, 2022](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester06.jpg?resize=1200%2C1801&ssl=1)
She wore a pair of gold earrings with bee and honeycomb charms. The choice was a gesture to the importance of the bee symbol for the city of Manchester. The earrings are a custom pair, made by Vania Dörffer of VANLELES Diamonds. Her pieces are handmade in Italy and set with gems ethically sourced from Africa. The designer posted on Instagram earlier today, sharing that the earrings are made of gold, diamonds, blue sapphires, and enamel.
She wrote, “I am so incredibly honoured to have designed and created this special pair of earrings for the Duchess of Cambridge.” Hours later, though, the Instagram post was removed, and the designer posted an Instagram story stating, “Due to protocol we had to remove our previous post.”
![Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge wears a bee earring design, which is a symbol of Manchester, as she arrives with her husband Prince William, Duke of Cambridge to attend the launch of the Glade of Light Memorial, outside Manchester Cathedral on May 10, 2022 in Manchester, England](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester07.jpg?resize=1200%2C1802&ssl=1)
Kate paired the earrings with a necklace we’ve seen previously: a yellow gold and lapis lazuli pendant necklace from Astley Clarke. She’s had the necklace in her collection for a little over a year.
![Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge holds a posy of flowers as she leaves after attending the official opening of the Glade of Light memorial in Manchester, north-west England on May 10, 2022](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-0511-01-manchester08.jpg?resize=1092%2C728&ssl=1)
With her usual trio of rings, Kate also wore another accessory connected to the memorial: a pink plastic bracelet emblazoned with the words “We Choose Love.” The bracelet comes from Liv’s Trust CIO, a trust established in memory of one of the attack victims, Olivia Campbell-Hardy. They’re honoring her legacy by working to provide music and dance education for young people in Manchester.
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