Britain’s Prince Harry represented Queen Elizabeth at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela yesterday (03.03.14).
The flame-haired royal was chosen to stand in for his grandmother at London’s Westminster Abbey where the service honoured the former South African President, who passed away aged 95 in December.
Harry, 29, joined about 2,000 people, who paid their respects to the iconic leader, including Prime Minister David Cameron, former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and John Major, actress Joanna Lumley and actor Idris Elba, who played Mandela in the biopic ‘Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom’.
The special National Service of Thanksgiving was broadcast by the BBC and also included a speech by South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop, Desmond Tutu.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine were attending the royal premiere of Mandela’s biopic at the time they learned of his death.
William said: "It’s obviously extremely sad and tragic news. We were just reminded of what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was, and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."
Prince Charles also released a statement after Mandela’s death, saying he had a "real zest for life".
He said: "With his passing, there will be an immense void not only in his family’s lives, but also in those of all South Africans."
Prince Harry represents Queen at Mandela memorial
