News
TRH attend a Memorial Service for Major Bruce Shand
10th September 2006
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall gathered in memory of The Duchess's late father at a church service celebrating his life.
More than 550 friends and family of Major Bruce Shand, who died in June at the age of 89, attended to pay their respects to the twice-decorated war hero.
The Duchess, dressed in black, smiled and greeted fellow members of the congregation warmly at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge, London.
The Duchess‘s sister Annabel Elliot, accompanied by her husband Simon, and brother Mark Shand were also at the memorial service. The Duchess, Simon Elliot and Mark Shand all gave readings at the service.
The Duchess‘s children Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles were also present, along with their father Andrew Parker Bowles.
Former foreign secretary Lord Howe and actor Edward Fox were among the guests at the private memorial service which was conducted by the Reverend Alan Gyle.
Other guests included Princess Alexandra, Princess Margaret‘s daughter Lady Sarah Chatto accompanied by husband Daniel, Lady Annabel Goldsmith, the Duke of Marlborough, Charles and Patti Palmer-Tomkinson and the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort.
Major Shand, who passed away after a long illness, was awarded two Military Crosses during the Second World War and in 1942 he was shot and captured and spent the rest of the conflict as a Prisoner of War.
In March, The Duchess travelled to El Alamein in Egypt with The Prince to pay an emotional tribute on her father‘s behalf at the graves of two of his fallen comrades.