The pair were joined by Prince Harry as they attended the Sun Military Awards in central London.The Duchess, who wore a £4,000 strapless black velvet gown by Alexander McQueen, chatted to servicemen and women at a drinks reception ahead of the ceremony and meal at the Imperial War Museum.
Her glittering image was enhanced by a ruby and diamond necklace, a wedding gift from a family friend, along with matching bracelet and earrings from another family friend.The night, also known as the Millies or Night of Heroes, was also attended by David Beckham, accompanied by sons Brooklyn and Cruz, plus others including Gordon Ramsay, Jimmy Carr, and Frank Lampard and his girlfriend Christine Bleakley.
Prince Harry, who recently returned from America where he was undertaking the final phases of his Apache helicopter training, described the members of the armed forces assembled as “inspirational role models to all young Britons”.In a speech to guests at the event he also spoke of his own military career.He said: “I am a young Army officer, a serving soldier. Like my brother, I share many of the same hopes, the same aspirations to go on operations, and the same fears as all those who serve our Queen and country.
“By an accident of birth, though, it falls to 564673 Captain Wales humbly to express – on behalf of my comrades-in-arms and people up and down the country – the admiration we feel for the extraordinary men and women we honour here tonight.”He added: “It’s often said of our armed forces that they are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Well, I don’t entirely buy that. Ordinary people don’t run out under withering enemy rocket and heavy machine gunfire to rescue a wounded comrade.
“Ordinary people don’t brave monsoon conditions dangling on a winch line to rescue 13 people, each in turn.”For that matter, ordinary people don’t put their lives on the line for distant folk, such as the Afghans, who need our help and are now turning their country round because of it.”The prince, who has served in Afghanistan himself, also paid tribute to the family members of those who go off to fight.”The strength and courage it must take to see your husband or your wife, your father or mother, son or daughter, head off into the unknown – and to support them doing it – I can hardly even imagine,” he said.”So, to our amazing, brave families, I know I join every single service man and woman in saying from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
