Prince William Grieves Major Alexis Roberts

Britain's Prince William attended the funeral of his "good friend and mentor" Major Alexis Roberts yesterday (24.10.07).

The prince - who was saddened by the news Major Roberts, 32, was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month - looked sombre in a black suit as he sat through the hour-long service at Canterbury Cathedral.

A royal source said: "It was a sad day for William but he was keen to take time off to be there." William - who knew Major Roberts from his training days at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy - was among 500 people attending the funeral. The service was led by the Dean of Canterbury, Robert Willis, and Reverend Paul Wright.

Major Roberts - who was nicknamed Lex - was killed by a roadside bomb in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan while he was serving with the Brunei-based 1st Battalion of the Royal Ghurka Rifles on October 4.

William immediately sent his condolences to Major Robert's widow, Susie, when he learnt of his friend's death. In a statement, he said: "At this time, my thoughts and prayers are with Lex's wife, Susie, their two young daughters, Alice and Freya, and with all his family and friends."