Royals remember the victims of Grenfell Tower: Kate shows visible emotion alongside William and Harry at St Paul's Cathedral service six months after 71 people died in horrific blaze that shocked the world

Members of the Royal Family have joined families of victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno at St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service to honour their memories six months after the deadly fire.

The blaze at the 24-storey tower in June killed 71 people and injured a further 70, while making hundreds homeless and is believed to have been started by a faulty fridge-freezer before spreading rapidly.

Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are all attending the special service and all looked sombre as they climbed the steps of the famous landmark.

The Duchess of Cambridge in particular looked mournful as she blinked back tears in the front row of the cathedral as the seriousness of the occasion took hold.

Prime Minister Theresa May, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were among the politicians accompanying more than 1,500 guests for the 11am service.

Bereaved families of the victims looked tearful and emotional as they made their way into the cathedral, with some carrying pictures of their lost loved ones.

The Duchess of Cambridge, sitting between her husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry, appeared to be welling up during a service to remember the victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno at St Paul's Cathedral today +47
The Duchess of Cambridge, sitting between her husband Prince William and brother-in-law Prince Harry, appeared to be welling up during a service to remember the victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno at St Paul's Cathedral today
Kate looked sombre as she entered the cathedral +47
Kate looked sombre as she entered the cathedral
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have shown solidarity with families whose relatives died in the Grenfell Tower fire +47
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have shown solidarity with families whose relatives died in the Grenfell Tower fire
The Royals rose with the congregation to bow their heads for a moments silence to pay respect to those who died +47
The Royals rose with the congregation to bow their heads for a moments silence to pay respect to those who died
Around 1,500 guests were invited to the ceremony, including families of the victims, first responders, members of the emergency services and others from the community +47
Around 1,500 guests were invited to the ceremony, including families of the victims, first responders, members of the emergency services and others from the community
Politicians, royals and members of the public were all affected by the grief of the occasion at the memorial service +47
Politicians, royals and members of the public were all affected by the grief of the occasion at the memorial service
Harry, Kate, William, Camilla and Charles pictured sitting on the front row at St Paul's Cathedral for the service this morning. Bereaved families said it was 'wonderful' the Royals recognised the seriousness of the situation, with the Duchess of Cambridge appearing to blink back tears +47
Harry, Kate, William, Camilla and Charles pictured sitting on the front row at St Paul's Cathedral for the service this morning. Bereaved families said it was 'wonderful' the Royals recognised the seriousness of the situation, with the Duchess of Cambridge appearing to blink back tears
Many family members of the victims were seen weeping in their seats at the service, with some covering their faces as they struggled to cope with the emotions +47
Many family members of the victims were seen weeping in their seats at the service, with some covering their faces as they struggled to cope with the emotions
Politicians including (from left) Emma Dent Coad, Liam Byrne, Diane Abbot, Jeremy Corbyn, Nick Hurd, Sajid Javid and Theresa May were also among the invited guests +47
Politicians including (from left) Emma Dent Coad, Liam Byrne, Diane Abbot, Jeremy Corbyn, Nick Hurd, Sajid Javid and Theresa May were also among the invited guests
The Royals (from left Prince Harry, Kate, Camilla, Prince William and Prince Charles) were all dressed in dark clothing to mark the seriousness of the occasion +47
The Royals (from left Prince Harry, Kate, Camilla, Prince William and Prince Charles) were all dressed in dark clothing to mark the seriousness of the occasion
Members of the emergency services including firefighters who attended the blaze looked sombre as they arrived at the cathedral today +47
Members of the emergency services including firefighters who attended the blaze looked sombre as they arrived at the cathedral today
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Ben Gabbitas, whose close friend and confidante Sheila died in the fire, hailed the royals' presence as a constant strand of support through the uncertainty of the past six months.

The 48-year-old said healing would take a long time and that 'the service and people's faith is an important part of what's getting them through'.

Mr Gabbitas said he had been immediately struck by the way the tragedy touched the nation, praising the 'almost immediate spontaneous, visceral response of people wishing to help'.

He said: 'Another unifying force was the presence of the sovereign, which seemed almost immediate again in terms of they hardly needed to be consulted.

'I think the nation at that point appreciated her being present, and particularly William and Harry, and I think that was a unifying force of which there were no politicians who managed that.'

The royals' numerous visits to the community since the fire formed a thread which has led to their presence at the service, he said, adding: 'That is wonderful that there is recognition at that level, and as I said it was one of the only unifying forces and at these times I guess we are more thankful we have a royal family and its place within our society.'