The Princess of Wales's Annual Festive Service of Carols Spotlights Community Volunteers

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her yearly Yuletide celebration at the historic Abbey, with guests including royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas.

The sizable congregation will hear a selection of carols, music and readings from actors such as award-winning actors.

A Theme of Compassion and Love

The central message of the service, held in the candle-lit Abbey on the 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 charity called Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to help households where there is a child with a terminal illness.

"The time, care and compassion you give, often discreetly and without words, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," the Princess expressed in a letter ahead of the concert.

A Steady Comeback

The princess has been making her own steady comeback to public life following her health challenges and treatment, in November making her major oration since 2023, in which she talked about recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers".

Musical Talent and Access

Guests arriving at the Abbey will enjoy performances from talented youth performers aided by the Future Talent organisation, established in part by the former royal to widen access to music lessons.

An 18-year-old named Carys Wood, who performs on the trumpet and is from southwest Wales, has been helped by the charity, with funding assisting with instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the concert.

"Music can be very expensive," she stated. She is now studying at the prestigious music academy, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to cultivate their performance abilities.

A Sisterly Duo

Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who performs on the brass instrument, will be present at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many distinguished guests," she said.

Within the audience will be representatives of different generations.

That will include Saphia Turner, aged nine, winner of a young hero award, who produces drawings and undertakes charity feats to generate funds for food banks.

Festive Decor and Performances

The Abbey has been adorned with specially made wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett helping to make them.

Taking to the stage will be Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a nautical singing ensemble, Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "a dream come true."

The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be broadcast on television on December 24th.