Catherine's Traditional Christmas Musical Celebration Spotlights Community Volunteers
The Princess of Wales is hosting her customary festive musical service at the iconic London venue, with guests including members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have supported their local areas.
The 1,600 guests will hear a mix of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from performers including Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet.
Centred Around Compassion and Love
The central message of the event, held in the atmospheric historic church on Friday, is generosity and expressing affection towards one's neighbour.
In the audience are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain cancer, and who founded an organisation, a support fund, to aid parents with a child with a terminal illness.
"The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often discreetly and without words, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a note prior to the concert.
Carefully Paced Reappearance
The princess has been making her own steady comeback to public life after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she reflected on recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring".
Musical Talent and Access
Attendees entering the Abbey will be entertained by budding artists backed by the Future Talent organisation, co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to increase availability of music lessons.
Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Pembrokeshire, has been helped by the charity, with grants helping towards equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "amazing" to be performing at tonight's service.
"Pursuing music is often costly," Carys said. She is now enrolled at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to cultivate their performance abilities.
A Sisterly Duo
Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who plays the euphonium, will be present at the Abbey. "It's unbelievable that I get to perform here in front of so many distinguished guests," she said.
Within the audience will be representatives of different generations.
That will encompass Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a youth community award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for food banks.
Festive Decor and Performances
The Abbey has been decorated with handcrafted festive wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett helping to make them.
The musical lineup includes recording artist Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a nautical singing ensemble, Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "the icing on the cake for us."
The Together at Christmas carol concert will be broadcast on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
