🔗 Share this article Catherine's Traditional Yuletide Service of Carols Honours Community Volunteers The Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey in preparation for the annual event. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her yearly Christmas carol concert at the historic Abbey, with a congregation comprising royals, celebrities and local heroes who have helped their communities. The large audience will hear a selection of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from actors such as Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet. A Theme of Love and Generosity The theme of the event, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. Among the guests will be Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a brain cancer, and who set up a charity, a charity called Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to support families who have a child with a terminal illness. "The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often quietly and unspoken, and without any thought of thanks or praise, make an profound impact to the well-being of people," the Princess expressed in a message before the concert. A Steady Comeback The Princess of Wales is continuing her own steady comeback to the public eye subsequent to her illness and medical care, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she talked about recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers". Music and Opportunity Guests arriving at the Abbey can listen to young musicians backed by the Future Talent charity, set up with the help of the former royal to widen access to instrumental training. An 18-year-old named Carys Wood, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been assisted by the charity, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "incredible" to be performing at tonight's service. "Music can be very expensive," Carys said. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to cultivate their performance abilities. Generations Gathering Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who plays the euphonium, will also be at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many distinguished guests," she said. Within the audience will be individuals spanning multiple eras. That will encompass Saphia Turner, aged nine, winner of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for local food charities. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been adorned with specially made wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett helping to make them. Taking to the stage will be recording artist Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a Cornish sea shanty group, the 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 a major network on Christmas Eve.
The Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey in preparation for the annual event. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her yearly Christmas carol concert at the historic Abbey, with a congregation comprising royals, celebrities and local heroes who have helped their communities. The large audience will hear a selection of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from actors such as Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet. A Theme of Love and Generosity The theme of the event, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. Among the guests will be Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a brain cancer, and who set up a charity, a charity called Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to support families who have a child with a terminal illness. "The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often quietly and unspoken, and without any thought of thanks or praise, make an profound impact to the well-being of people," the Princess expressed in a message before the concert. A Steady Comeback The Princess of Wales is continuing her own steady comeback to the public eye subsequent to her illness and medical care, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she talked about recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers". Music and Opportunity Guests arriving at the Abbey can listen to young musicians backed by the Future Talent charity, set up with the help of the former royal to widen access to instrumental training. An 18-year-old named Carys Wood, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been assisted by the charity, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "incredible" to be performing at tonight's service. "Music can be very expensive," Carys said. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to cultivate their performance abilities. Generations Gathering Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who plays the euphonium, will also be at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many distinguished guests," she said. Within the audience will be individuals spanning multiple eras. That will encompass Saphia Turner, aged nine, winner of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for local food charities. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been adorned with specially made wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett helping to make them. Taking to the stage will be recording artist Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a Cornish sea shanty group, the 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 a major network on Christmas Eve.