This year, Manchester can't come together in reflection as one. The soaring voices of choirs at packed out civic memorial services won't be heard on the air.
The bells of Manchester Cathedral won't ring out 22 times as they have done previously. But the coronavirus lockdown won't stop the city's determination to remember those who lost their lives three years ago today in the Manchester Arena terror attack - and those whose lives have been forever changed by the atrocity.
It's just that this year, Manchester will do things differently, as it always does. As will the rest of the country - for the impact of the bombing spans far and wide.