Prince William and Prince Harry were at the City Salute extravaganza in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral last night.

Princes William and Harry with injured servicemen and relatives

Sharing the limelight with the Lord Mayor of London, who presided, the mounted Household Cavalry — their own regiment — various squadrons from the RAF and Royal Navy, Jeremy Clarkson and Joss Stone, the two Princes mingled with the crowd of injured servicemen and their relatives.

Various displays were put on, including a Son et Lumiere light show on the facade of the Cathedral. A banquet was later held in the ancient Guildhall in Cheapside.

It was hoped to raise £500,000 ($1m) for Headley Court Military rehabilitation centre in Surrey.

The first hour was broadcast live by BBC2.

Clarence House has issued the following statement on the Princes’ support for a City of London-based charity event for service personnel.

Prince William at his Passing Out Parade at Sandhurst

Prince William and Prince Harry have become Joint Royal Patrons of the City Salute Appeal, launched today to celebrate and support this country’s armed forces and their families.

City Salute is a major open air event that will take place in the heart of the City of London. The drama will unfold in front of St Paul’s Cathedral, the iconic setting for so many historic events. The public will be asked to come and help raise money for injured servicemen and women.

Funds raised will go to the City Salute Appeal, which will support Headley Court, the tri-service Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. Projects funded will be a swimming pool and sports complex for physiotherapy and family accommodation for relatives of servicemen and women undergoing treatment.

It is not clear whether this includes the “party for millionaires” reported on recently, but it seems likely, especially if that is the Princes’ own contribution to the main event.

Prince William commented, “As brothers, we are delighted to be supporting the City of London in saluting all those who serve their country. As well as raising money for vital rehabilitation facilities, City Salute is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the fantastic contribution made by our servicemen and women and their families. It is also a chance to pay tribute to the casualty evacuation and medical staff of all three Services who protect and care for the wounded so brilliantly and with such tireless dedication.”

City Salute will be “a celebration and spectacle that combines traditional elements and state-of-the-art son et lumière projections”, with St Paul’s Cathedral providing the backdrop. The event programme will probably include :

* Band of HM Royal Marines marching through Temple Bar
* Ceremonial troops and armoured vehicles of The Household Cavalry
* RAF fly past
* Son et lumière – St Paul’s Cathedral
* Giant screens showing specially commissioned short films about the lives of the forces and their families.

It sounds like a splendid occasion and those who are able to go should definitely be there.

Individuals can donate from today to the City Salute Appeal at www.citysalute.org.