Duchess at memorial for terror victims

The Duchess of York tonight attended a memorial service for several hundred workers killed in the World Trade Centre terror strike, all employees of a single firm.

Brokers Cantor Fitzgerald lost some 700 of its 1,250 staff when two hijacked planes hit the twin towers on September 11.

Its trading was today suspended while hundreds of its workers and their families paid tribute to those who died, at a memorial service in New York’s Central Park.

The Duchess of York was meant to be visiting the firm on the day of the attack because her charity, Chances For Children, had space in the Cantor Fitzgerald offices.

Her official spokeswoman said she travelled to New York for the service and was leaving tonight.

She signed the company’s wall of remembrance and brought cards from her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie. Eugenie’s was signed ‘‘lots of love Eugenie,’’ while Beatrice wrote ‘‘be brave and keep your heads high’’.

The Duchess, who is friends with the firm’s chief executive, Howard Lipnick, was said to have found the service very moving.

‘‘I think she found it extraordinarily moving, it was very poignant,’’ her spokeswoman said.

Several hundred employees and families emerged from the private service, many of them in tears and clutching flowers and soft toys.

Mr Lipnick, whose brother was among the missing in the collapse, was said to have spoken at the service, as did several husbands and wives of the missing, who are now all feared dead.

Frank Maduro, whose brother-in-law Eric Stolman was among the missing workers, said Mr Lipnick’s words had helped him to cope with his loss.

‘‘He said we should all be strong and bond together, and that he would never forget the ones that have gone or the ones that were present with him.

‘‘They are working hard to make sure we all have physical, emotional and mental support and he gave us hope that the company would work hard to become strong again but would never forget those who died.’’