Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, with attendees featuring members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have supported their local areas.
The sizable congregation will listen to a blend of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from performers including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Focusing on Love and Generosity
The focus of the service, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others.
Among the guests will be Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain cancer, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to aid parents with a child with a terminal illness.
"Your efforts, love, and understanding, often without fanfare or recognition, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others," Her Royal Highness stated in a message before the carol service.
A Gradual Return
The Princess of Wales is continuing her own measured re-emergence to public life after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, in November making her major oration since 2023, in which she discussed recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers".
Performance and Potential
Attendees entering the Abbey can listen to budding artists supported by the Future Talent charity, established in part by the Duchess of Kent to broaden opportunities for instrumental training.
Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Pembrokeshire, has been helped by the trust, with grants helping towards musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "incredible" to be playing at the evening's event.
"Musical pursuits are frequently pricey," Carys said. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to develop their musical skills.
A Sisterly Duo
Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who is a euphonium player, will be present at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many notable figures," she said.
Among the guests will be individuals spanning multiple eras.
That will feature Saphia Turner, aged nine, honouree of a youth community award, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to collect donations for local food charities.
Festive Decor and Performances
The Abbey has been adorned with specially made wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett assisting in their creation.
The musical lineup includes Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the group Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "the icing on the cake for us."
The Together at Christmas carol concert will be broadcast on a major network on Christmas Eve.
