Catherine's Traditional Christmas Musical Celebration Pays Tribute to Unsung Heroes
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her yearly festive musical service at the historic Abbey, with guests including royals, celebrities and local heroes who have helped their communities.
The 1,600 guests will enjoy a selection of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from actors such as award-winning actors.
Centred Around Love and Generosity
The theme of the concert, held in the candle-lit Abbey on the afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others.
In the audience are a couple named the Cordiners, whose young girl was lost to a brain cancer, and who set up a charity, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to aid parents with a terminally ill child.
"Your efforts, love, and understanding, often discreetly and without words, and without any thought of thanks or praise, make an profound impact to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a message before the carol service.
A Steady Comeback
The royal has been undertaking her own gradual return to the public eye subsequent to her illness and medical care, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she talked about recognising the "selfless, commonly overlooked efforts of carers".
Performance and Potential
Those coming to the Abbey can listen to budding artists backed by the Future Talent organisation, established in part by the late Duchess of Kent to widen access to music lessons.
Carys Wood, aged 18, who performs on the trumpet and is from southwest Wales, has been helped by the charity, with funding assisting with musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "awesome" to be taking part in tonight's service.
"Pursuing music is often costly," she stated. She is now enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to develop their musical skills.
Generations Gathering
Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who is a euphonium player, will likewise attend the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said.
Among the guests will be individuals spanning multiple eras.
That will encompass young Saphia Turner, nine, recipient of a youth community award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for food banks.
Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts
The Abbey has been adorned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett helping to make them.
The musical lineup includes singer Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the group Fisherman's Friends, who said the invitation to sing was "the icing on the cake for us."
The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be broadcast on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.