William pays tribute to grieving victims of Christchurch attack at charity gala

The Duke of Cambridge has paid tribute to the grieving victims of the New Zealand terror attack and the “heartache” of D-day veterans in a speech to bereaved parents.

Speaking on Monday evening, William acknowledged the “intense and unimaginable heartache” of those affected by the shooting at the Christchurch mosque in March.

He made the comments in his role as patron at the 25th anniversary gala of charity Child Bereavement UK and encouraged people to speak about their loss.

The duke said: “For many, sharing their experiences and memories is a crucial part of the grieving process.”

Following his visit to the National Memorial Arboretum to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings, the duke also spoke about the emotional impact on veterans.

He continued: “I saw that again in the eyes of D-Day veterans and families last week.

“Their sorrow for lost friends, sons and fathers 75 years on still moves them to tears.”

He praised the charity’s “great sympathy and sensitivity” in their work with “children, young people and families to help them navigate the difficult path of grief”.

William also met a number of people involved with the charity at the Kensington Palace event, including Mary Berry, who lost her teenage son in a car crash in 1989.

The celebrity baker and patron of the charity said: “When I lost my son there was no such thing as Child Bereavement UK.

“You don’t know where to turn, they really give such tremendous support.”

The duke also got the chance to chat with Jo and Ian Browell, who lost their eight-year-old daughter Lizzy to a brain haemorrhage in 2015.

They credit the charity with helping them “rebuild their lives” after their bereavement and called the organisation an “absolute rock” for them and their other daughter, Jessica, now 16.

Child Bereavement UK support families when a baby or child of any age dies and when children are facing bereavement.

In the last year they have trained more than 10,000 professionals with bereavement training and helped more than 3,000 people affected by loss.