There seems to be an easy familiarity between Joss Stone and Prince Harry, demonstrated by the rather enthusiastic hug the pair shared at an event to celebrate Britain's armed forces last night.

The pair, last seen together at the memorial concert for Princess Diana last July, hugged warmly, and chatted together at the open-air extravaganza in London last night.

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Hello again: Joss greets old pal Prince Harry with a very enthusiastic hug as the pair meet at a celebration of the British Armed Forces in London last night

Joss, who wore a slinky black dress, with her red coloured locks freely flowing, greeted both prince William and Harry like old friends, hugging them enthusiastically, and chatting animatedly.

The 21-year-old singer got to rub shoulders with soldiers Harry and big brother William at a tribute to Britain's armed forces on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral in London.

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Red carpet redhead: Joss wears her red lock freely flowing, as she has an intimate chat with the prince

VIPs, who included supporters of the City Salute Appeal, were serenaded by Joss after paying £10,000 to listen to the award-winning performer.

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Just William: Another hug, this time for Harry's big brother William

Joss told The Metro newspaper: "It seems like a good thing to do and I do charity events when I can. If I'm in the area and I'm free then why not?

And maybe the lure of seeing men in uniform also helped, as she revealed her penchant for men in uniform. She added: "Any uniform will do. Not a McDonald's uniform though. I think military uniforms are gorgeous."

The pomp and music extravaganza raised money for medical rehabilitation of those injured while serving in the Army, Navy and RAF.

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Chatty pair: The pair chatted away like old friends at the event which also raised funds for the rehabilitation of injured soldiers - Joss sang to a VIP audience

Joss poses with new London mayor Boris Johnson - but no hug for him

Last month the feisty singer from Cornwall blasted the UK government for its treatment of the armed forces.

She said that soldiers who return from Iraq should receive special medical care rather than use NHS facilities.

She told The Sun: "My best friend's boyfriend is out there and it is scary - there's no guarantee that people will always be safe.

"I think the way the government treats our soldiers is really f****d up. They can go to war and fight for Queen and country but if they get a leg blown off they come back and are dealing with the NHS."

She added: "They should have a right to private treatment."

The City Salute event also featured readings by former EastEnders' actor Ross Kemp and star of stage and screen Timothy West who read the poem Everyone Sang by First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon.

The event ended with a Son et Lumiere where images of service personnel and their families were projected onto the front of St Paul's Cathedral as the Band of the Royal Marines played.

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St. Pauls: The event ended with a Son et Lumiere where images of service personnel and their families were projected onto the front of St Paul's Cathedral

A spokeswoman for SSAFA, one of the two charities benefiting from last night's event, said it was hoped the night had raised up to £500,000.

She said: "An event like tonight, if it brings in half a million, that's great and it means a lot to us to have the country come out and show their support.

"And to have Prince William and Prince Harry, that's been fantastic."