Prince William Grieves Major Alexis Roberts

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

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."