The Princess of Wales will be hosting her annual Christmas Carol Concert this year again, celebrating the “power of love” with major celebrities in attendance, Kensington Palace has announced. The Together At Christmas event, spearheaded by Princess Catherine for the fifth time, is set to take place at Westminster Abbey on December 5.
Catherine’s annual festive event, which has become a major fixture in the royal calendar, will this year celebrate love “in all its forms” and will aim to recognise and thank people around the country who are acting with love in their communities, contributing to a more cohesive and connected society. Actors Hannah Waddingham, Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor are set to give readings while carols will be sung by the Westminster Abbey choir, alongside musical performances.
The ‘power of love’ theme was chosen because, in a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, the service will bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms, organisers say.
This can be love within families, through friendships, across communities, or even in moments of connection with strangers.
This year, the future Queen will also honour the late Duchess of Kent, who passed away on September 4 at the age of 92, as young performers from Future Talent, a charity co-founded by Katharine, will play music outside the Abbey.
The charity aims to support musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds.
Guests at Westminster Abbey have been nominated by lord-lieutenants across the UK and charities linked with members of the Royal Family and also include people who have been invited after having shown love and kindness this year.
They will be greeted by a festive display created by horticulturist Jamie Butterworth based on the importance of nature in our lives, while the Royal Horticultural Society is set to donate wreaths made by their ambassadors and schoolchildren.
The service aims to be a blend of traditional and modern elements, inclusive of people of all faiths and none.
Some 15 community carol services, held in places including the Coronation Street Visitor Centre, an arts centre in Newbury and a community farm in Gwent, are also set to take place across the UK with the same love and togetherness theme.
Armagh, Berkshire, Derbyshire, Dumfries, Dyfed, East Riding, Gwent, Greater Manchester, Isle of Wight, Lanarkshire, Nottinghamshire, Renfrewshire & Ayrshire, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Worcestershire are the locations for the community services which are to be hosted by lord-lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation.
The Westminster Abbey service is to air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve and will be repeated on Christmas Day.
