Afghanistan veteran Prince Harry was joined by his father the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prime Minister David Cameron and General Sir Nicholas Houghton, the Chief of the Defence Staff, at Guildhall in the City of London as they paid their own tributes to those who served in the 13-year campaign.
Harry, wearing his own service medals on his number 1 dress of the Blues and Royals uniform, met fellow servicemen and women from the conflict during a reception following the St Paul’s service.
Detachments from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF, as well as two of the veterans from the conflict, marched past St Paul’s Cathedral to Guildhall, where the City of London Corporation hosted the reception to honour those who served and the families of servicemen and women who lost their lives.
Welcoming the guests, the Lord Mayor of London Alan Yarrow said he was “deeply honoured” to host the event.
Praising the “selfless strength” of the servicemen and their families, he said: “During training, operational duty, bitter-sweet family reunions – only to depart again – you remained steadfast and committed to the task in hand.”
He added: “We cannot imagine what you, and your loved-ones, have lived through in order to reach this day.
“We cannot imagine what you will continue to live with. We cannot imagine living without those who did not return. We cannot imagine. But we can reflect. Remember. Respect.”
The Lord Mayor continued: “Today, the nation unites in thanking those who gave their best in order to secure better days ahead. To us is given the honour of remembering those who paid the ultimate price.”
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