Princes William and Harry kicked off the festive season by attending an event close to their heart – the annual Christmas carol service hosted by The Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund. As patrons of the charity, the brothers showed their support by keeping the evening of Wednesday 3 December free in their busy diaries. Shortly before the service started, William and Harry were spotted arriving at St Luke's church in Chelsea, London. Each year the event is held to raise money for the charity, which was set up after Henry – a close friend of Harry's – died in a car crash in 2002.
© Photo: RexPrince Harry pictured with friends outside the church
Harry and Henry were classmates at Ludgrove Preparatory School in Berkshire – which was also atended by Prince William.
Remembering their late friend, William and Harry were joined by Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Ellie Goulding and Chelsy Davy for the service. The Duke of Cambridge had left his pregnant wife Kate and their 16-month-old baby Prince George at home.The Princes were named joint patrons of the charity in January 2009, and have since participated in a host of fundraising events such as the one on Wednesday night. The fund aims to lift Ugandan children out of poverty through education – inspired by Henry's plans to spend six months of his gap year teaching in the East African country.
© Photo: RexPrince William left his pregnant wife Kate and son Prince George at home
Henry had just finished his job working as a junior master at his prep school when he was killed in the car accident, aged 18. He had just completed his A Levels at Harrow School and had a place confirmed at Newcastle University to read business management. After completing his degree Henry was due to accept an army scholarship from The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst – the same place where his royal friend Harry trained and earned the rank of captain. Last year the Prince was unable to attend the annual Christmas concert as he was undertaking a charity expedition to the South Pole with Walking With The Wounded. Harry's girlfriend at the time Cressida Bonas, however, made the event, joining the likes of Duchess Kate's mother Carole Middleton, Holly Branson and Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
