Harry joins comrades at service

Updated 19.10 Sun May 11 2008

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.

"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" - Fred Collingwood

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.