🔗 Share this article Catherine's Traditional Festive Carol Concert Honours Charity Helpers The Princess of Wales attends Westminster Abbey for the festive concert. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her yearly Christmas carol concert at the iconic London venue, with attendees featuring members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have supported their local areas. The large audience will hear a selection of carols, music and readings from stars like award-winning actors. Focusing on Kindness and Compassion The theme of the service, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday, is kindness and showing love to others. Among the guests will be a couple named the Cordiners, whose child passed away from a brain cancer, and who set up a charity, a support fund, to aid parents with 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 letter ahead of the carol service. A Steady Comeback The princess has been making her own steady comeback to the public eye after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she discussed recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers". Performance and Potential Guests arriving at the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers aided by the Future Talent organisation, established in part by the former royal to widen access to musical tuition. Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Pembrokeshire, has been supported by the charity, with grants helping towards instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "incredible" to be playing at the evening's event. "Pursuing music is often costly," the musician remarked. She is now enrolled at the prestigious music academy, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to hone their artistic talents. A Sisterly Duo Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who plays the euphonium, will also be at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many important people," she said. Attending the service will be individuals spanning multiple eras. That will include nine-year-old Saphia Turner, winner of a prize for youthful altruism, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for food banks. Festive Decor and Performances The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett helping to make them. Taking to the stage will be Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir 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 television on December 24th.
The Princess of Wales attends Westminster Abbey for the festive concert. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her yearly Christmas carol concert at the iconic London venue, with attendees featuring members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have supported their local areas. The large audience will hear a selection of carols, music and readings from stars like award-winning actors. Focusing on Kindness and Compassion The theme of the service, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday, is kindness and showing love to others. Among the guests will be a couple named the Cordiners, whose child passed away from a brain cancer, and who set up a charity, a support fund, to aid parents with 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 letter ahead of the carol service. A Steady Comeback The princess has been making her own steady comeback to the public eye after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she discussed recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers". Performance and Potential Guests arriving at the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers aided by the Future Talent organisation, established in part by the former royal to widen access to musical tuition. Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Pembrokeshire, has been supported by the charity, with grants helping towards instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "incredible" to be playing at the evening's event. "Pursuing music is often costly," the musician remarked. She is now enrolled at the prestigious music academy, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to hone their artistic talents. A Sisterly Duo Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who plays the euphonium, will also be at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many important people," she said. Attending the service will be individuals spanning multiple eras. That will include nine-year-old Saphia Turner, winner of a prize for youthful altruism, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for food banks. Festive Decor and Performances The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett helping to make them. Taking to the stage will be Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir 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 television on December 24th.