Ariana Grande made honorary citizen of Manchester after One Love benefit concert

Singer was praised for returning to perform in the city and raising millions for victims of the terror attack

Ariana Grande performs at the One Love Manchester concert (Getty Images for One Love Manchester)

Ariana Grande has responded after being made an honorary citizen of Manchester for organising a concert to raise money for the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack.

The 23-year-old pop singer was the subject of a unanimous vote at a meeting to decide the award and was praised for returning to the city for the event just two weeks after it took place.

Posting on Instagram shortly after the announcement she said: I don't know what to say. Words don't suffice. I'm moved and honoured. My heart is very much still there. I love you. Thank you."

She also posted a bee emoji, in tribute to the official symbol of Manchester.

22 people were killed and dozens more injured after a lone suicide bomber detonated a device inside the foyer at the arena, shortly after the concert had finished.

Grande helped to raise almost £3 million with the One Love Manchester benefit concert, which featured performances from some of the biggest artists in the world, including Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell and Liam Gallagher.

Honorary citizenship is the highest honour that can be awarded by a city, apart from the "freedom of the city" award, which has only been handed out four times since 2000.

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said it would have been understandable if she had not wanted to return, the BBC reports.

“But no - instead she, as an artist, a performer, was determined that she owuld not perform again until she had returned to Manchester to perform,” he said.

“In doing so, she brought comfort to thousands, she raised millions for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund and became the first patron of that fund.

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“And that's why I propose that Ariana Grande is made the first honorary citizen of the city of Manchester.”