🔗 Share this article The Princess of Wales's Traditional Christmas Carol Concert Honours Community Volunteers Catherine is pictured at Westminster Abbey for the annual event. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her customary Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, with attendees featuring members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods. The large audience will enjoy a blend of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from performers including award-winning actors. Centred Around Kindness and Compassion The central message of the concert, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on the afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others. In the audience are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain tumour, and who set up a charity, a charity called Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to support families who have a terminally ill child. "Your efforts, love, and understanding, often discreetly and without words, and without any expectation or recognition, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a message before the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The Princess of Wales is continuing her own measured re-emergence to public life following her health challenges and treatment, in November making her major oration since 2023, in which she reflected on recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers". Performance and Potential Guests arriving at the Abbey will be entertained by young musicians aided by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the Duchess of Kent to increase availability of music lessons. Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been helped by the organisation, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the evening's event. "Pursuing music is often costly," Carys said. She is now a student at the prestigious music academy, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to cultivate their performance abilities. A Family Affair Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who plays the euphonium, will be present at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said. Among the guests will be representatives of different generations. That will encompass Saphia Turner, aged nine, honouree of a young hero award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for community pantries. Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts The Abbey has been decorated with custom-created holiday decorations, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett contributing to their design. Among the musical performers will be recording artist Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a nautical singing ensemble, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "the icing on the cake for us." This annual carol service will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
Catherine is pictured at Westminster Abbey for the annual event. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her customary Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, with attendees featuring members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods. The large audience will enjoy a blend of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from performers including award-winning actors. Centred Around Kindness and Compassion The central message of the concert, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on the afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others. In the audience are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain tumour, and who set up a charity, a charity called Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to support families who have a terminally ill child. "Your efforts, love, and understanding, often discreetly and without words, and without any expectation or recognition, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a message before the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The Princess of Wales is continuing her own measured re-emergence to public life following her health challenges and treatment, in November making her major oration since 2023, in which she reflected on recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers". Performance and Potential Guests arriving at the Abbey will be entertained by young musicians aided by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the Duchess of Kent to increase availability of music lessons. Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been helped by the organisation, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the evening's event. "Pursuing music is often costly," Carys said. She is now a student at the prestigious music academy, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to cultivate their performance abilities. A Family Affair Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who plays the euphonium, will be present at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said. Among the guests will be representatives of different generations. That will encompass Saphia Turner, aged nine, honouree of a young hero award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for community pantries. Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts The Abbey has been decorated with custom-created holiday decorations, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett contributing to their design. Among the musical performers will be recording artist Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a nautical singing ensemble, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "the icing on the cake for us." This annual carol service will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.