London terror attack survivors attend service with Royals
The Duke of Cambridge left a touching note to the victims of the London terror attacks as he placed a wreath on a memorial outside Westminster Abbey today.
The Prince laid a wreath of spring flowers, including red and white roses and gerbera, at the Innocent Victims memorial as he arrived at the Abbey with his wife and brother for a multi-faith service of hope.
The handwritten note said: 'In memory of the innocent lives, lost to us all on the 22nd March 2017. William.'
Around 1,800 people gathered at Westminster Abbey for the Service of Hope, two weeks on from Khalid Masood's murderous rampage which saw five people killed and dozens injured.
American tourist Melissa Payne Cochran, who lost her husband in the horrific incident, also attended the service and smiled as she arrived at the Abbey accompanied by her parents. She sustained a broken leg and shattered ribs in the attack.
After the ceremony Mrs Cochran spotted paramedic Mo Adimora, who came to her aid that day, and gave him a hug.
A card on the wreath, signed by William, read: 'In memory of the innocent lives; lost to us all on the 22nd March, 2017.'
The royals were greeted by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Craig Mackey before processing down the aisle, where emergency services personnel lined the front row.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend John Hall, led the service and Prince William gave a Bible reading from Luke, Chapter 10, about the Good Samaritan, while Home Secretary Amber Rudd read from Jeremiah.
Following the service William, Kate and Harry met in private with some members of the congregation, including the families of the victims and survivors of the attack.
Witnesses and members of the emergency services involved in the response effort are among the congregation for the service - held just minutes from where the attack unfolded.
Five people, including terrorist Masood, were killed and dozens of others injured in the 82-second atrocity on Wednesday March 22.
Mrs Cochran's husband Kurt Cochran, 54, retired window cleaner Leslie Rhodes, 75, and Aysha Frade, 44, died when the Muslim convert drove at pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.
The 52-year-old attacker was shot dead by armed police after fatally stabbing PC Keith Palmer, 48, in the Palace of Westminster's cobbled forecourt.
Speaking at the service, Dr Hall told the congregation: 'We are all affected by the attack a fortnight ago on Westminster Bridge and at the gates of the Palace of Westminster, and we are all left bewildered and disturbed.
'But our sense of loss and diminishment is paled by comparison with that of the families of those who died: Aysha Frade, Kurt Cochran and Leslie Rhodes on the bridge, and Police Constable Keith Palmer on duty at the gates of Parliament, and all those who were injured. Our hearts go out to them in sympathy and prayer and love.'
He continued: 'What happened a fortnight ago leaves us bewildered. What could possibly motivate a man to hire a car and take it from Birmingham to Brighton to London, and then drive it fast at people he had never met, couldn't possibly know, against whom he had no personal grudge, no reason to hate them and then run at the gates of the Palace of Westminster to cause another death? It seems likely that we shall never know.
'No doubt it was in imitation of the attacks in Nice and Berlin. But what on earth did he hope to achieve? Such random acts of aggression are nothing new.'
In a poignant moment of reflection - The Act of Commitment - candles were lit while the choir sang.
Each member of the congregation clutched a single candle as prayers were read by those of all faiths, including Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger and Mr Khan.
It is the first time Mrs Cochran, who was in London with her husband celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary, has been seen in public since the attack although she has been pictured in hospital.
She attended the service with her parents Sandra and Dimmon Payne. Her siblings, who flew over to Britain for a press conference, have now returned to the United States.
Last night her brother Clint told MailOnline: 'Melissa will be attending a memorial service at Westminster Abbey with my parents and sister in London this Wednesday.
'I am told they will have a brief meeting with members of the royal family. We hope she will be able to return to Utah soon. I have returned with my siblings to the United States.'
Announcing the Service of Hope, Westminster Abbey wrote: 'A Service of Hope Following the Terror Attack in Westminster will be held in Westminster Abbey at Noon on Wednesday 5th April. 'The service will be attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, and will be broadcast live on BBC Television.
