🔗 Share this article Her Royal Highness's Annual Festive Service of Carols Pays Tribute to Community Volunteers The Princess of Wales attends Westminster Abbey in preparation for the festive concert. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her customary festive musical service at Westminster Abbey, with a congregation comprising royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas. The large audience will listen to a blend of carols, music and readings from stars like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet. A Theme of Kindness and Compassion The focus of the service, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a tumour, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to aid parents with a child with a terminal illness. "The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," wrote Catherine in a note prior to the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The Princess of Wales is continuing her own measured re-emergence to official duties subsequent to her illness and medical care, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she talked about recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers". Music and Opportunity Attendees entering the Abbey will be entertained by budding artists supported by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the former royal to widen access to instrumental training. Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Wales, has been helped by the trust, with funding assisting with equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "awesome" to be taking part in tonight's service. "Musical pursuits are frequently pricey," she stated. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to hone their artistic talents. A Sisterly Duo Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who performs on the brass instrument, will likewise attend the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said. Within the audience will be representatives of different generations. That will include young Saphia Turner, nine, winner of a youth community award, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for food banks. Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett assisting in their creation. Taking to the stage will be singer Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "a dream come true." This annual carol service will be broadcast on a major network on Christmas Eve.
The Princess of Wales attends Westminster Abbey in preparation for the festive concert. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her customary festive musical service at Westminster Abbey, with a congregation comprising royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas. The large audience will listen to a blend of carols, music and readings from stars like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet. A Theme of Kindness and Compassion The focus of the service, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a tumour, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to aid parents with a child with a terminal illness. "The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," wrote Catherine in a note prior to the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The Princess of Wales is continuing her own measured re-emergence to official duties subsequent to her illness and medical care, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she talked about recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers". Music and Opportunity Attendees entering the Abbey will be entertained by budding artists supported by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the former royal to widen access to instrumental training. Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Wales, has been helped by the trust, with funding assisting with equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "awesome" to be taking part in tonight's service. "Musical pursuits are frequently pricey," she stated. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to hone their artistic talents. A Sisterly Duo Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who performs on the brass instrument, will likewise attend the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said. Within the audience will be representatives of different generations. That will include young Saphia Turner, nine, winner of a youth community award, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for food banks. Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett assisting in their creation. Taking to the stage will be singer Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "a dream come true." This annual carol service will be broadcast on a major network on Christmas Eve.