🔗 Share this article Catherine's Yearly Yuletide Carol Concert Pays Tribute to Community Volunteers Catherine is pictured at Westminster Abbey ahead of the festive concert. The Princess of Wales is hosting her annual festive musical service at Westminster Abbey, with a congregation comprising members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have helped their communities. The large audience will hear a mix of carols, music and readings from actors such as award-winning actors. Centred Around Kindness and Compassion The central message of the event, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain cancer, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to aid parents with a youngster facing a life-limiting condition. "The time, care and compassion you give, often discreetly and without words, and without any expectation or recognition, make an profound impact to the circumstances of individuals," Her Royal Highness stated in a note prior to the festive gathering. A Gradual Return The princess has been making her own gradual return to public life after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she discussed recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Music and Opportunity Guests arriving at the Abbey can listen to young musicians aided by the Future Talent organisation, established in part by the former royal to widen access to instrumental training. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Wales, has been helped by the trust, with funding assisting with instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "incredible" to be performing at the concert. "Music can be very expensive," the musician remarked. She is now enrolled at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to cultivate their performance abilities. Generations Gathering Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who is a euphonium player, will also be at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many distinguished guests," she said. Attending the service will be representatives of different generations. That will encompass nine-year-old Saphia Turner, honouree of a prize for youthful altruism, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for local food charities. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been adorned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett contributing to their design. The musical lineup includes recording artist Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a nautical singing ensemble, the group Fisherman's Friends, who said the invitation to sing was "the icing on the cake for us." The Together at Christmas carol concert will be aired by television on December 24th.
Catherine is pictured at Westminster Abbey ahead of the festive concert. The Princess of Wales is hosting her annual festive musical service at Westminster Abbey, with a congregation comprising members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have helped their communities. The large audience will hear a mix of carols, music and readings from actors such as award-winning actors. Centred Around Kindness and Compassion The central message of the event, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others. Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain cancer, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to aid parents with a youngster facing a life-limiting condition. "The time, care and compassion you give, often discreetly and without words, and without any expectation or recognition, make an profound impact to the circumstances of individuals," Her Royal Highness stated in a note prior to the festive gathering. A Gradual Return The princess has been making her own gradual return to public life after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she discussed recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring". Music and Opportunity Guests arriving at the Abbey can listen to young musicians aided by the Future Talent organisation, established in part by the former royal to widen access to instrumental training. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Wales, has been helped by the trust, with funding assisting with instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "incredible" to be performing at the concert. "Music can be very expensive," the musician remarked. She is now enrolled at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to cultivate their performance abilities. Generations Gathering Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who is a euphonium player, will also be at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many distinguished guests," she said. Attending the service will be representatives of different generations. That will encompass nine-year-old Saphia Turner, honouree of a prize for youthful altruism, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to raise money for local food charities. Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment The Abbey has been adorned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett contributing to their design. The musical lineup includes recording artist Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a nautical singing ensemble, the group Fisherman's Friends, who said the invitation to sing was "the icing on the cake for us." The Together at Christmas carol concert will be aired by television on December 24th.