Prince Harry attended the London Fire Brigade's annual carol service at Westminster Cathedral last night, during which his forthcoming marriage was mentioned in prayers. 

The newly engaged fifth-in-line to the throne left his fiancee Meghan Markle at home in Kensington Palace but, according to the Daily Mail, the Rev Mia Hilborn, the London Fire Brigade chaplain, said of both of them during the service: 'We pray for the Royal Family and for the newly engaged Harry and Meghan and the joy they have brought to the country. We pray that you will bless their upcoming union and that you will bless all couples.'

Carols sung at the service in the Cathedral, the home of English and Welsh Catholicism, included God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen, Once in Royal David's City, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night and Away In a Manger.

Harry, who announced a week ago that he and the American actress are to be wed in May, was congratulated by members of the fire brigade.

Dany Cotton, the London Fire Brigade Commissioner who greeted the prince and sat next to him throughout the service, said afterwards: 'It just gave extra added bonus for us to have him here having just had such an amazing week.'

She told the Daily Mail: 'I took the opportunity to have a quiet word with him about it, and just the fact that he talked about his proposal being over cooking a roast chicken dinner was just very lovely.

'It was really nice because he's obviously very happy and beaming and so full of love which is just great.'

She added: 'He was saying for him being here and being able to say thank you to the emergency services, especially the fire brigade, was very important to him.

'We were talking about the work of the emergency services, the armed forces, and how wearing uniform being in public service was so important.'

Tom George, Director of Operations at London Fire Brigade said: 'We've had such a really busy challenging year and it's just lovely that he's come along tonight to enjoy the festive season with us and think back on the challenges that we've been through...

'I did congratulate him [on his engagement].

The popular TV cook Mary Berry was also a guest at the service, and read an extract from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Prince Harry will marry Miss Markle at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in May next year.