The service took place at Truro Cathedral

The service of thanksgiving and remembrance took place at Truro Cathedral, attended by about 400 people, including members of dead men's families, colleagues, dignitaries and members of the public.

The Duke, who piloted a helicopter during the Falklands war, trained at Culdrose.

He read a lesson during the service and later had a private meeting with families of the dead men.

The seven men from 849 Naval Air Squadron, one of them an American, were killed when two Sea King helicopters collided during the war in Iraq.

The crash happened on 22 March over the northern Arabian Gulf.

Seven candles were lit in memory of Lieutenants Philip Green, 31, from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire; Tony King, 35, of Congresbury, Somerset; Marc Lawrence, 26, of Westgate, Kent; Philip West, 32, originally of Hoylake, Wirral; James Williams, 28, of Winchester, Hampshire; Andrew Wilson, 36, of Devon, and Tom Adams from the US Navy.

A wreath was also laid in front of the candles, Royal Marine buglers sounded the Last Post during the service, and the congregation observed a two-minute silence.

The people who lost their lives were people who represented us in their own way Bishop of Truro Bill Ind

A memorial to those who died has already been established at the air base.

The Commanding Officer of Culdrose, Captain Mike Knowles, said before the service: "After the accident in March we received many letters of sympathy and support.

"The funerals were private, but today's thanksgiving is an opportunity for everyone to pay their respects.

"We are particularly grateful to the Duke of York for leading us in the thanksgiving.

"I hope the families feel this support and draw some comfort from it," he said.

The Bishop of Truro, Bill Ind, said: "Culdrose and what it represents is very important to the people of Cornwall.

"The commitment of the Royal Navy to the area is regarded with enormous affection by all of us.

"The people who lost their lives were people who represented us in their own way.

"They were people doing a job, in a sense, on our behalf," said the bishop.