Ariana Grande ‘politely turns down a Damehood in honour of Manchester terror attack victims and their families’
Ariana Grande has reportedly turned down a Damehood in honour of the Manchester terror attack victims, according to The Sun.
A source told the publication that the 25-year-old singer told the committee is as ‘too soon’ for her to receive the honour, as she was ‘still grieving’ for those who lost their lives in the shocking attack.
It comes after Ariana was praised for her response to the attack which took place at one of her concerts, holding the One Love Manchester benefit show, which raised millions of pounds for victims’ families.
No thanks: Ariana Grande has reportedly turned down a Damehood in honour of the Manchester terror attack victims, according to The Sun
The source said: ‘Ariana was flattered but said it was too soon.
‘She explained she was still grieving. So were scores of families.
‘She feared some affected might see it as insensitive. The committee wrote to her but she politely said no.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Ariana for comment.
Not yet: A source told the publication that the 25-year-old American singer told the committee is as ‘too soon’ for her to receive the honour (above visiting attack survivor Lily Harrison)
Proud: Angelina Jolie also received an honorary Damehood in 2014, for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end warzone sexual violence
Due to her US nationality, Ariana would have only been eligible for an honourary Damehood should she have accepted, meaning she would not have been able to introduce herself as a Dame, but could use the initials DBE after her name.
The honours are normally conferred by the Queen, on the advice of the foreign secretary.
Such an honour was given to Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie in 2014, for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end warzone sexual violence.
It is unclear whether Ariana’s honorary Manchester citizenship would have made any change to this rule.
Sweet: Ariana was praised for her response to the attack which took place at one of her concerts, visiting some of the survivors in hospital
The honour came following Ariana’s response to the Manchester Arena terror attack- which took place minutes after her concert ended – and left 22 dead and hundreds injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive.
Ariana was praised for her response to the attack, visiting survivors and fans as they recovered in hospital.
She then set up the One Love Manchester concert two weeks later, which saw the entire audience who were at her show in attendance, and all manner of stars take to the stage at the Old Trafford cricket ground, including Coldplay, Katy Perry, Liam Gallagher, Justin Bieber and Robbie Williams.
Ariana made the brave decision to return to Manchester for the benefit concert, which raised more than £17 million for the victims families.
Amazing: She then organised the One Love Manchester concert to raise money for the victims’ families, a show which saw all manner of stars take to the stage