🔗 Share this article The Princess of Wales's Traditional Yuletide Service of Carols Honours Charity Helpers The Princess of Wales is pictured at Westminster Abbey in preparation for the carol service. The Princess of Wales is hosting her customary festive musical service at the iconic London venue, with guests including dignitaries, stars, and everyday helpers who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods. The large audience will enjoy a mix of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from performers including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Centred Around Compassion and Love The focus of the event, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on Friday, is kindness and showing love to others. Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose child passed away from a brain cancer, 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 extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," the Princess expressed in a message before the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The royal has been undertaking her own gradual return to the public eye after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she reflected on recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Performance and Potential Those coming to the Abbey will enjoy performances from young musicians backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, set up with the help of the former royal to widen access to musical tuition. Carys Wood, aged 18, who plays the trumpet and is from Pembrokeshire, has been helped by the trust, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the concert. "Music can be very expensive," Carys said. She is now a student at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to cultivate their performance abilities. Generations Gathering Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who plays the euphonium, will likewise attend the Abbey. "It's unbelievable that I get to perform here in front of so many distinguished guests," she said. Attending the service will be people from various age groups. That will feature young Saphia Turner, nine, honouree of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for community pantries. Festive Decor and Performances The Abbey has been decorated with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett helping to make them. The musical lineup includes singer Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "a dream come true." The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be broadcast on a major network on Christmas Eve.
The Princess of Wales is pictured at Westminster Abbey in preparation for the carol service. The Princess of Wales is hosting her customary festive musical service at the iconic London venue, with guests including dignitaries, stars, and everyday helpers who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods. The large audience will enjoy a mix of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from performers including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Centred Around Compassion and Love The focus of the event, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on Friday, is kindness and showing love to others. Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose child passed away from a brain cancer, 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 extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," the Princess expressed in a message before the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The royal has been undertaking her own gradual return to the public eye after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she reflected on recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Performance and Potential Those coming to the Abbey will enjoy performances from young musicians backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, set up with the help of the former royal to widen access to musical tuition. Carys Wood, aged 18, who plays the trumpet and is from Pembrokeshire, has been helped by the trust, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the concert. "Music can be very expensive," Carys said. She is now a student at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to cultivate their performance abilities. Generations Gathering Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who plays the euphonium, will likewise attend the Abbey. "It's unbelievable that I get to perform here in front of so many distinguished guests," she said. Attending the service will be people from various age groups. That will feature young Saphia Turner, nine, honouree of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for community pantries. Festive Decor and Performances The Abbey has been decorated with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett helping to make them. The musical lineup includes singer Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "a dream come true." The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be broadcast on a major network on Christmas Eve.