Princes lead the salute in honour of armed forces

PRINCE William and Prince Harry joined an audience of thousands last night to pay tribute to Britain's armed forces at an open-air extravaganza.

The efforts of the country's military heroes were honoured on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral by a spectacle of pomp, ceremony and music called City Salute. The brothers are patrons of the City Salute Appeal, which is fundraising for the organisations Help for Heroes and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

The London event began with a flyover by three Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

Royal Marine Mark Ormond, 24, who lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on a Taleban landmine in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, was featured in a short film shown to the audience on giant screens.

He was part of a reception which met the princes before the event began. Among the guests were new London mayor, Boris Johnson, singer Joss Stone and top military brass.