Pregnant Meghan Markle gives speech at carol service in memory of Prince Harry’s friend who died in car crash aged 18
MEGHAN Markle gave a speech at a charity carol concert to remember Prince Harry’s close friend who was killed in a car crash aged 18.
The Duchess of Sussex was seen arriving at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea at an event to remember Henry van Straubenzee, who died in 2002.
Megan was joined by her husband Prince Harry, who was best friends with Henry at school.
The pregnant 37-year-old was asked to give a reading at the carol concert, which was attended by many friends of the princes, some of whom Harry has not seen since becoming engaged to Meghan.
It has been reported that Harry became “estranged from old friends” since falling for the Hollywood star.
Meghan was pictured for the first time since reports emerged of a rift between the former Suits star and her sister-in-law Kate Middleton.
A series of reports have revealed rows between the two duchesses over the treatment of staff and overall disagreements in their “approach to things”.
The pair had been photographed at events together looking close, but it has been suggested that a tensions started to flare during the Christmas period last year.
Despite the ongoing rift rumours, Pippa Middleton, her brother James Middleton and parents Carole and Michael also attended the service at St Luke’s.
Tragic Henry was close friends with both the royal princes and was killed in a car crash when he was 18.
Harry and William are still close friends with the surviving van Straubenzee brothers and they attended Thomas van Straubenzee’s wedding in 2013.
The Duke of Sussex once described his friend Henry as “Polzeath surfing legend and ladies’ man with whom we shared so many special memories”.
Henry was a classmate of Prince Harry and his older brother Thomas was close with Prince William, and the four of them were described as inseparable growing up, .
Henry died instantly in the passenger seat of a car that his a tree outside Ludgrove preschool in Berkshire.
The foundation that was set up in his name helps more than 28,000 children across 40 nursery, primary and secondary schools in Uganda.
A guest of tonight’s service told the MailOnline: “Meghan spoke very clearly, it was a fantastic service.”
In a forward letter, Prince William wrote: “My brother and I are proud to have been patrons of the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund since it was established in 2007.
“Back in 2009, it was suggested that a Christmas carol service could be held to boost funds for projects in Uganda.
“This year marks the tenth annual carol service and, thanks to the support is given each year by many of you here tonight, the tickets have sold out everywhere within two weeks of going on sale.
“Since it’s inception, the mission of the charity has remained the same to improve the quality of schools in impoverished rural Uganda by investing in buildings and resources.”
The Duchess of Cambridge was pictured this evening attending a reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace.
Kate wore a white gown with diamantes and the stunning Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara. She met with ambassadors from around the world.
The Queen as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were also in attendance.
Earlier today Kate stepped out putting on a cheerful front as she hosted a Christmas party with RAF families at Kensington Palace with Prince William.
The couple – both aged 36 – seemed in good spirits as they hosted the bash for the families of deployed personnel from RAF Coningsby and RAF Marham.
Kate appeared in high spirits as she affectionately put a comforting arm around her husband.
The couple themselves have big plans for Christmas Day, expecting to spend the day with the Queen at Sandringham.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also expected to be at the royal family celebrations, despite speculation of a feud between Meghan and Kate.
Kensington Palace was forced to deny claims of a row between the two couples last Christmas, when sources claimed that Prince Charles had arranged for Harry and Meghan to stay with William and Kate at the Cambridges’ Norfolk residence, Anmer Hall.
It’s understood that Kate has attempted to explain the rules of The Firm to Meghan – and that her advice didn’t go down well.
Kate is also said to have told friends she was very sad about what was happening and felt that Harry was “changing”.
Harry and his pregnant wife are abandoning their central London base at Kensington Palace for Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Their move, along with reports of a “dictatorial” Harry allegedly taking issue with his brother, courtiers and servants for failing to “roll out the red carpet” for Meghan, is apparently the latest in a string of issues causing the couples to be at loggerheads.
And a furious Duchess of Cambridge recently slapped down Meghan after she spoke rudely to a member of Kate’s staff telling her doing so was “unacceptable”.
A spokeswoman for Kensington Palace said: “This is not a story we would comment on.”
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