British Royal Wedding

Prince Harry has been reunited with soldiers he served alongside in Afghanistan at a memorial service.

The Prince’s Blues and Royals regiment led the Cavalry Memorial Parade in Hyde Park, central London.

His father, the Prince of Wales, took the salute as five bands and the detachments from the Cavalry and Yeomanry passed by.

The soldiers swapped their uniforms for the traditional ensemble of suits, bowler hats and umbrellas.

Fred Collingwood, who served with the Blues and Royals, said he was happy to see Harry at the event.

He said: “The nice thing about the man is that there’s nothing pretentious about him, he’s a soldier, he never shies away from a member of his regiment.”

Hundreds of soldiers, their families and crowds of well-wishers gathered in Hyde Park for the parade.

After the march, Prince Charles laid a wreath at the Cavalry Memorial before a service of remembrance at the park’s bandstand. (via ITN)

There seems to be an easy familiarity between Joss Stone and Prince Harry, demonstrated by the rather enthusiastic hug the pair shared at an event to celebrate Britain’s armed forces last night.

The pair, last seen together at the memorial concert for Princess Diana last July, hugged warmly, and chatted together at the open-air extravaganza in London last night.

Joss, who wore a slinky black dress, with her red coloured locks freely flowing, greeted both prince William and Harry like old friends, hugging them enthusiastically, and chatting animatedly.

The 21-year-old singer got to rub shoulders with soldiers Harry and big brother William at a tribute to Britain’s armed forces on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. (via Daily Mail)

The papers are very interested in the presence of Prince Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davy at a ceremony where he received a campaign medal for service in Afghanistan, and she features heavily in the Mail and the Telegraph.

Apparently it’s the first time she’s attended a formal royal event, and the Times is in lyrical mood with its headline: “Chelsy sees her warrior prince rewarded.” (via BBC News)

Princes William and Harry threw themselves into a polo match yesterday, Kate Middleton and Chelsy Davy sat side-by-side sipping their drinks and chatting.

The pair stayed in the shade of a marquee at Coworth Park, near Ascot in Berkshire, while watching the Princes compete.

While Chelsy was casual in her blue jeans and double-breasted plaid jacket, Kate looked a little smarter in a fitted cropped jacket and dark jeans.

The girls were inseparable for much of the time. But although Kate sat back and watched William on the field, Chelsy, a student at Leeds University, seemed preoccupied with a stack of papers she had with her, which she looked to be studying.

William and Harry were competing in the Audi polo match for the Um Bongo team. After the match they collected medals from a tent, although their girlfriends remained in the neighbouring marquee. (via Daily Mail)

Clarence House was put on red alert after Fox News, the excitable American TV channel, broadcast claims that Prince Harry had become engaged to his soignee girlfriend Chelsy Davy.

According to Wednesday’s bulletin, the Prince had told Chelsy’s parents that he was going to ask the Queen for permission to marry. As the U.S. networks waded in, a royal aide urged caution. “I’m 95 per cent certain it isn’t true, but give me ten minutes.”

Order was restored. “It wouldn’t do if the Yankees were to break such an event,” murmurs a courtier. (via Daily Mail)

Princes William and Harry give their guards the slip and head off for a night at the movies…

Prince Harry will be presented with a campaign medal for his service in Afghanistan by his aunt the Princess Royal.

The 23-year-old will be among around 160 fellow Household Cavalry troops attending a ceremony in Windsor on May 5 to be honoured for their role fighting the Taliban.

Having served well over the required minimum of four weeks in theatre he is entitled to the Afghanistan Medal awarded to British forces who have taken part in Britain’s Operation Herrick mission to the country.

The Prince, who has recently been promoted from Second Lieutenant (or Cornet) to Lieutenant, will be able to wear the decoration alongside his Golden Jubilee Medal, a gift from the Queen marking her 50-year reign in 2002.

The Princess will present the medals in her capacity as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry.

The Operational Service Medal (OSM) for Afghanistan is round and silver showing Harry’s grandmother the Queen on one side and the Union Flag and compass on the reverse.

The ceremony will take place at the Household Cavalry’s Combermere Barracks in Windsor. Clarence House has not confirmed whether the Prince of Wales will be present. (via The Press Association)

William and Harry today visited Headley Court, the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Surrey, which will be one of the beneficiaries of the concert and pageant on May 7.

At the centre Harry was reunited with one of the injured servicemen who shared his return flight from his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

One of the soldiers they met was Lance Sergeant Adam Ball, 23, stationed with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in Aldershot. He lost a leg when he stepped on an explosive device in Afghanistan eight months ago and has spent the last six months at Headley Court.

“I’m happy that the princes have come today, it’s good that they come and show an interest in what we are doing and see how we are getting on,” he said. [view video]

“With Harry having done it himself he knows the ins and outs and it’s more like banter, talking to an Officer maybe, than talking to a royal.”

William said: “As brothers, we are delighted to be supporting the City of London in saluting all those who serve their country. As well as raising money for vital rehabilitation facilities, City Salute is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the fantastic contribution made by our servicemen and women and their families.”

“It is also a chance to pay tribute to the casualty evacuation and medical staff of all three Services who protect and care for the wounded so brilliantly and with such tireless dedication,” he said. (via The Telegraph)

Prince Harry, fresh from active service in Afghanistan, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Prince Harry was promoted because he has completed two years in the Army

The Prince, on regimental duties at his barracks in Windsor, was elevated from second lieutenant because he has completed two years in the Army.

His salary has risen from £20,173 to £24,247. If he remains in the Army, he can expect to be promoted to captain in three years.

When Prince William joined Sandhurst in January 2006 his younger brother was there to greet him.

Officer Cadet Wales, as the future King became known, had to salute Harry when the younger prince was commissioned as a second lieutenant in April of the same year.

But as Flying Officer Wales he has caught up with his brother. (via The Telegraph)

Willdude and Hazza head to their local pub and join in the fun of quiz night!