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Grenfell fire: Families and survivors gather for St Paul's memorial Grenfell fire: Families and survivors gather for St Paul's memorial
(35 minutes later)
Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have gathered for a memorial at St Paul's Cathedral, which is being attended by members of the Royal Family and the prime minister.Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have gathered for a memorial at St Paul's Cathedral, which is being attended by members of the Royal Family and the prime minister.
About 1,500 people were invited to the multi-faith service, including the bereaved, survivors and rescue workers. The bereaved, survivors and rescue workers were joined by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are at the service. Dean of St Paul Dr David Ison said the UK "grieves at the unspeakable tragedy, loss and hurt of that June day".
The fire in the west London tower block - six months ago - claimed 71 lives. The fire, on 14 June, claimed 71 lives.
The service is being held to give thanks to everyone who assisted on the ground at the time of the tragedy and since it - including the emergency services, the recovery team, the community, public support workers and volunteers.The service is being held to give thanks to everyone who assisted on the ground at the time of the tragedy and since it - including the emergency services, the recovery team, the community, public support workers and volunteers.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are also attending the service. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are also attending.
Bishop Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington and organiser of the service, said there were still "so many unresolved issues in the community". As the memorial began, a Green For Grenfell banner adorned with a heart was carried into the cathedral.
"It's very difficult to live with that level of uncertainty," he told the Victoria Derbyshire programme, adding: "At the same time I think we do want to say that it is possible for life to be rebuilt." Opening the service, Dr David Ison said: "We come together as different faiths as we remembers those whose lives were lost.
"There was a very strong desire within the local community to have the service here, because faith is very important to a lot of people in the local area, and that can bring a real sense of strength to people." "Be united in the face of suffering and sorrow," he added.
Families held photographs of victims of the fire, while voice recordings from people at the scene of the fire were played to the congregation.
'Hope' for change
The Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools Girls' Choir then sang out the words: "Never lose hope."
Bishop Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington and organiser of the memorial, said: "Today we ask why warnings were not heeded, why a community was left feeling neglected, uncared for, not listened to."
But he said he looked ahead to the New Year with "hope" of change from "a city that didn't listen".
He spoke about witnessing "something extraordinary" after the fire, as people from across the capital came to help.
Before the service, Bishop Tomlin told the BBC: "There was a very strong desire within the local community to have the service here, because faith is very important to a lot of people in the local area, and that can bring a real sense of strength to people."
One of those in attendance is Tiago Alves, who escaped the blaze with his family.One of those in attendance is Tiago Alves, who escaped the blaze with his family.
He told BBC Breakfast his thoughts would be with bereaved families during the memorial: "Today is a day not about survivors; today is purely about the bereaved, their families and the loved ones they have lost."He told BBC Breakfast his thoughts would be with bereaved families during the memorial: "Today is a day not about survivors; today is purely about the bereaved, their families and the loved ones they have lost."
He said the memorial would be "quite emotional" and would bring back a lot of awful memories for many people.He said the memorial would be "quite emotional" and would bring back a lot of awful memories for many people.
But he added: "The reason we are doing this today is so that people never forget - we want people to remember."But he added: "The reason we are doing this today is so that people never forget - we want people to remember."
Clarrie Mendy, who lost her cousin Mary and Mary's daughter, Kadije Saye, in the fire, said the service was "what the community needs, what the survivors need".Clarrie Mendy, who lost her cousin Mary and Mary's daughter, Kadije Saye, in the fire, said the service was "what the community needs, what the survivors need".
"It is a very emotional day," she said. "I just hope everybody will get something from it.""It is a very emotional day," she said. "I just hope everybody will get something from it."
Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, is not attending the service, after some families said they did not want the council there in an official capacity.Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, is not attending the service, after some families said they did not want the council there in an official capacity.
The final death toll from the fire was put at 53 adults and 18 children, including stillborn baby Logan Gomes, following an arduous process of recovering and identifying remains from the block.The final death toll from the fire was put at 53 adults and 18 children, including stillborn baby Logan Gomes, following an arduous process of recovering and identifying remains from the block.
During the service a banner with the Grenfell Heart will be displayed, while there will be performances from the Ebony Steel Band, Portobello Road Salvation Army Band, an Islamic girls' choir from the Al Sadiq and Al Zahra Schools, and St Paul's Cathedral Choir. During the service, there will also be performances from the Ebony Steel Band, Portobello Road Salvation Army Band, and St Paul's Cathedral Choir.
A pre-recorded sound montage of anonymous voices from the Grenfell community will also be played.A pre-recorded sound montage of anonymous voices from the Grenfell community will also be played.
At the end of the service, bereaved families and survivors will leave the cathedral in silence, holding white roses.At the end of the service, bereaved families and survivors will leave the cathedral in silence, holding white roses.
Meanwhile, Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said the force would do "whatever it takes" to bring to justice anyone who had committed a criminal offence linked to the fire.Meanwhile, Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said the force would do "whatever it takes" to bring to justice anyone who had committed a criminal offence linked to the fire.
Ms Dick said officers would investigate "meticulously, fairly and fearlessly", but said she would be "vey surprised" if the criminal investigation was completed within the next 12 months.Ms Dick said officers would investigate "meticulously, fairly and fearlessly", but said she would be "vey surprised" if the criminal investigation was completed within the next 12 months.
Scotland Yard has previously said it will be considering both individual and corporate manslaughter charges.Scotland Yard has previously said it will be considering both individual and corporate manslaughter charges.