A sad day for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

The memorial service for James Wentworth-Stanley, aged just 21, was held yesterday at St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. The service was attended by a number of the Royal Family including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, their mother Sarah, Duchess of York, Viscount Linley and Lady Helen Taylor.

The Newcastle University student was found dead of gun shot wounds at 9pm in his father's farmhouse in Worcestershire. Police have not yet established if the shot was self-inflicted, accidental or the result of a homicide. One the day of James' death the farm had played host to a shooting party.

The step-son of the Marquess of Milford Haven James studied at Harrow and was a keen polo player. His parents Nicholas Wentworth-Stanley and his mother Lady Milford Haven released a joint statement to the press saying, "We are all devastated by the loss of James. He was a shining star to all who met him and no one felt the joy of his personality more than his family. He had a wonderful enthusiasm for life and we will all miss his kindness, loyalty and generosity of spirit.

The center of his life was always his family and it is for that reason his loss is even more painful for all those who loved him."

Lady Milford Haven is an old school friend of Sarah, Duchess of York. Their children naturally became close as well and spent much time together as children. Princesses Beatrice, who had been a guest at James' lavish 21st birthday party just weeks before, and Princess Eugenie were visibly upset as they left the memorial service, Eugenie needing the comforting arm of her mother.

Friends of James have said to be 'completely mystified' by James' sudden and shocking death. "It is very, very sad," said one. "He was an amazing young man. He was the most liked man of his generation. He had a great capacity for friendship and he had great charm. He made people feel good. He was unique with people."

"James was one of those boys who was amazingly nice. He was a brilliant ambassador for whatever he did," said Tatler photographer Hugo Burnand who worked with James' mother who was the magazine's social editor for 10 years. Poignantly her last assignment before retiring was to cover the event of her son's California themed 21st birthday party which will be featured in the magazine next month.

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