🔗 Share this article Catherine's Annual Yuletide Musical Celebration Honours Community Volunteers The Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the festive concert. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her customary festive musical service at the historic Abbey, with attendees featuring royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas. The sizable congregation will enjoy a blend of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from stars like Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Centred Around Kindness and Compassion The focus of the service, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on the afternoon, is generosity and expressing affection towards one's neighbour. In the audience are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose child passed away from a brain tumour, and who established a foundation, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to help households where there is a child with a terminal illness. "Your efforts, love, and understanding, often without fanfare or recognition, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others," the Princess expressed in a message before the festive gathering. Carefully Paced Reappearance The princess has been making her own steady comeback to the public eye after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, in November making her major oration since 2023, in which she reflected on recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers". Music and Opportunity Attendees entering the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers backed by the Future Talent charity, set up with the help of the former royal to increase availability of music lessons. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been supported by the organisation, with awards contributing to instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "amazing" to be playing at tonight's service. "Pursuing music is often costly," the musician remarked. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to develop their musical skills. A Sisterly Duo Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who performs on the brass instrument, will be present at the Abbey. "It's unbelievable that I get to perform here in front of so many notable figures," she said. Within the audience will be people from various age groups. That will include young Saphia Turner, nine, recipient of a young hero award, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for food banks. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett assisting in their creation. Among the musical performers will be singer Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the invitation to sing was "a dream come true." The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be broadcast on television on December 24th.
The Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the festive concert. Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her customary festive musical service at the historic Abbey, with attendees featuring royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas. The sizable congregation will enjoy a blend of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from stars like Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Centred Around Kindness and Compassion The focus of the service, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on the afternoon, is generosity and expressing affection towards one's neighbour. In the audience are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose child passed away from a brain tumour, and who established a foundation, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to help households where there is a child with a terminal illness. "Your efforts, love, and understanding, often without fanfare or recognition, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others," the Princess expressed in a message before the festive gathering. Carefully Paced Reappearance The princess has been making her own steady comeback to the public eye after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, in November making her major oration since 2023, in which she reflected on recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers". Music and Opportunity Attendees entering the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers backed by the Future Talent charity, set up with the help of the former royal to increase availability of music lessons. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been supported by the organisation, with awards contributing to instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "amazing" to be playing at tonight's service. "Pursuing music is often costly," the musician remarked. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to develop their musical skills. A Sisterly Duo Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who performs on the brass instrument, will be present at the Abbey. "It's unbelievable that I get to perform here in front of so many notable figures," she said. Within the audience will be people from various age groups. That will include young Saphia Turner, nine, recipient of a young hero award, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for food banks. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been festooned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett assisting in their creation. Among the musical performers will be singer Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the invitation to sing was "a dream come true." The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be broadcast on television on December 24th.