Opera singer Katherine Jenkins mugged
Soprano Katherine Jenkins was praised yesterday for performing at a charity carol service attended by Pippa and Carole Middleton... just hours after being mugged.
The Welsh opera singer was on her way to a rehearsal for the event when she bravely tried to stop a violent girl gang attacking an elderly woman in King’s Road, Chelsea, south-west London.
The 39-year-old singer then herself fell victim during the “extremely violent” attack on Wednesday afternoon.
Katherine was left in tears at the scene as she waited for police to arrive. But despite her ordeal, she went on to sing in the concert at nearby St Luke’s Church that evening because she “didn’t want to let the charity down”.
The service was organised by the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, which was set up shortly after the 18-year-old – who was a close friend of Princes William and Harry – died in a car crash in 2002.
Henry’s brother Thomas van Straubenzee, who is one of Prince William’s best friends and Princess Charlotte’s godfather, was in attendance as well as the Middletons.
Katherine sang Silent Night and Oh Holy Night.
A member of the congregation said: “Katherine, as ever, was a brilliant melodic singer – but I sensed a little spark missing in her mood.”
Another in the audience said: “All things considered it was really brave of her to perform.”
After the mugging, Katherine’s agent said: “She helped the police identify the perpetrators.” Two 15-year-old girls were arrested, police confirmed.
Three officers led screaming suspect wearing a hooded trainers.
A second girl wearing glasses was also seen in handcuffs near the scene as she was spoken to by police.
The mugging came just weeks after royal fashion designer Amanda Wakeley was robbed of her watch at Chelsea Harbour by thieves who threatened her in her car with an axe.
