🔗 Share this article Her Royal Highness's Yearly Christmas Service of Carols Honours Charity Helpers Catherine attends Westminster Abbey in preparation for the carol service. The Princess of Wales is hosting her customary festive musical service at the historic Abbey, with guests including dignitaries, stars, and everyday helpers who have helped their communities. The 1,600 guests will enjoy a mix of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from actors such as Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Centred Around Love and Generosity The focus of the service, held in the atmospheric historic church on Friday afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others. Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain cancer, and who founded an organisation, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to aid parents with a youngster facing a life-limiting condition. "Your efforts, love, and understanding, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an profound impact to the lives of others," wrote Catherine in a note prior to the festive gathering. Carefully Paced Reappearance The royal has been undertaking her own steady comeback to the public eye following her health challenges and treatment, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she discussed recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Music and Opportunity Those coming to the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, established in part by the former royal to widen access to music lessons. Carys Wood, aged 18, who plays the trumpet and is from Wales, has been supported by the charity, with grants helping towards equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at tonight's service. "Music can be very expensive," Carys said. She is now studying at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to cultivate their performance abilities. A Family Affair Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who is a euphonium player, will also be at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many notable figures," she said. Among the guests will be representatives of different generations. That will include Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a prize for youthful altruism, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for local food charities. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett assisting in their creation. Among the musical performers will be recording artist Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "the icing on the cake for us." This annual carol service will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
Catherine attends Westminster Abbey in preparation for the carol service. The Princess of Wales is hosting her customary festive musical service at the historic Abbey, with guests including dignitaries, stars, and everyday helpers who have helped their communities. The 1,600 guests will enjoy a mix of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from actors such as Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Centred Around Love and Generosity The focus of the service, held in the atmospheric historic church on Friday afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others. Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain cancer, and who founded an organisation, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to aid parents with a youngster facing a life-limiting condition. "Your efforts, love, and understanding, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an profound impact to the lives of others," wrote Catherine in a note prior to the festive gathering. Carefully Paced Reappearance The royal has been undertaking her own steady comeback to the public eye following her health challenges and treatment, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she discussed recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Music and Opportunity Those coming to the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, established in part by the former royal to widen access to music lessons. Carys Wood, aged 18, who plays the trumpet and is from Wales, has been supported by the charity, with grants helping towards equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at tonight's service. "Music can be very expensive," Carys said. She is now studying at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to cultivate their performance abilities. A Family Affair Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who is a euphonium player, will also be at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many notable figures," she said. Among the guests will be representatives of different generations. That will include Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a prize for youthful altruism, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for local food charities. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett assisting in their creation. Among the musical performers will be recording artist Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "the icing on the cake for us." This annual carol service will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.