🔗 Share this article Her Royal Highness's Traditional Festive Service of Carols Honours Charity Helpers Catherine arrives at Westminster Abbey for the annual event. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, with a congregation comprising members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods. The large audience will hear a selection of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from stars like award-winning actors. Focusing on Kindness and Compassion The theme of the service, held in the atmospheric historic church on Friday afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. In the audience are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a tumour, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to help households where there is a youngster facing a life-limiting condition. "The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a letter ahead of the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The Princess of Wales is continuing her own steady comeback to official duties after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she talked about recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Performance and Potential Those coming to the Abbey will enjoy performances from budding artists backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the former royal to widen access to music lessons. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who performs on the trumpet and is from Wales, has been assisted by the trust, with funding assisting with equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the concert. "Music can be very expensive," the musician remarked. She is now a student at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to develop their musical skills. A Family Affair Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who performs on the brass instrument, 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. Within the audience will be people from various age groups. That will encompass Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for community pantries. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been festooned with custom-created holiday decorations, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett contributing to their design. Among the musical performers will be recording artist Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a Cornish sea shanty group, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "a dream come true." The Together at Christmas carol concert will be broadcast on television on December 24th.
Catherine arrives at Westminster Abbey for the annual event. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, with a congregation comprising members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods. The large audience will hear a selection of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from stars like award-winning actors. Focusing on Kindness and Compassion The theme of the service, held in the atmospheric historic church on Friday afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. In the audience are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a tumour, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to help households where there is a youngster facing a life-limiting condition. "The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a letter ahead of the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The Princess of Wales is continuing her own steady comeback to official duties after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she talked about recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Performance and Potential Those coming to the Abbey will enjoy performances from budding artists backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the former royal to widen access to music lessons. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who performs on the trumpet and is from Wales, has been assisted by the trust, with funding assisting with equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the concert. "Music can be very expensive," the musician remarked. She is now a student at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to develop their musical skills. A Family Affair Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who performs on the brass instrument, 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. Within the audience will be people from various age groups. That will encompass Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for community pantries. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been festooned with custom-created holiday decorations, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett contributing to their design. Among the musical performers will be recording artist Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a Cornish sea shanty group, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "a dream come true." The Together at Christmas carol concert will be broadcast on television on December 24th.