Catherine's Yearly Festive Service of Carols Spotlights Charity Helpers
The Princess of Wales is hosting her yearly festive musical service at the iconic London venue, with attendees featuring royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas.
The large audience will hear a mix of carols, music and readings from actors such as Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
A Theme of Compassion and Love
The theme of the event, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on the afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others.
In the audience are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a brain cancer, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to support families who have a terminally ill child.
"Your efforts, love, and understanding, often discreetly and without words, and without any thought of thanks or praise, make an extraordinary difference to the circumstances of individuals," Her Royal Highness stated in a letter ahead of the concert.
Carefully Paced Reappearance
The royal has been undertaking her own steady comeback to official duties after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, last month delivering her first public speech for two years, in which she reflected on recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring".
Musical Talent and Access
Those coming to the Abbey can listen to budding artists aided by the Future Talent organisation, co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to widen access to musical tuition.
Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who performs on the trumpet and is from Wales, has been helped by the charity, with funding assisting with musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "incredible" to be playing at the evening's event.
"Pursuing music is often costly," she stated. She is now studying at the prestigious music academy, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to develop their musical skills.
A Family Affair
Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who plays the euphonium, will also be at the Abbey. "It's unbelievable that I get to perform here in front of so many notable figures," she said.
Attending the service will be individuals spanning multiple eras.
That will feature young Saphia Turner, nine, recipient of a youth community award, who produces drawings and undertakes charity feats to raise money for community pantries.
Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts
The Abbey has been adorned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett contributing to their design.
Taking to the stage will be singer Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a nautical singing ensemble, the group Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "the perfect culmination."
The Together at Christmas carol concert will be televised and shown on a major network on Christmas Eve.