Queen Elizabeth II saw Manchester's greatest moments and darkest days
- Published
The Queen paid a visit to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital following the 2017 attack
Queen Elizabeth II visited Manchester many times during her 70-year reign.
As well as seeing moments of triumph, celebration and joy, she witnessed some of the city's darkest days.
In 2017 the Queen comforted survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing in which 22 people were killed.
She spent time at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital with young people who were seriously injured in the attack. She also thanked medical staff for their dedication and care.
Medical staff were among those who lined the corridors to greet the Queen
The Queen played an integral role in some great Mancunian moments too.
Her Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002 included Manchester hosting the Commonwealth Games.
The Queen receives the Commonwealth Games baton in Manchester in 2002
She declared the games open after receiving the baton from six-year-old Kirsty Howard.
The youngster was escorted by then Manchester United and England footballer David Beckham.
Eleven days later, the monarch experienced the downside of hosting a major sporting event in Manchester when the closing ceremony was drenched with rain.
The Queen at the rainy Commonwealth Games closing ceremony
The Queen had a ringside seat during Greater Manchester's regeneration - from the opening of the Metrolink tram service to the opening of the BBC's base at MediaCityUK in Salford.
She also walked along the region's most famous road - Coronation Street on the set of the ITV soap that has been a fixture of British life for the majority of the Queen's reign.
The then Princess Elizabeth visited Manchester in 1948
The Queen toured a shopping centre in Bolton in 1968
The Queen visited Coronation Street's set in 1982
Queen Elizabeth II with crowds at Manchester Exhibition Centre in 1986
The Queen opened the BBC's base at Media CityUK in Salford
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