Her Royal Highness's Annual Christmas Service of Carols Honours Community Volunteers

Her Royal Highness has organised her annual festive musical service at the historic Abbey, 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 selection of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from stars like award-winning actors.

Centred Around Compassion and Love

The focus of the event, held in the candle-lit Abbey on the afternoon, is generosity and expressing affection towards one's neighbour.

Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a tumour, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to help households where there is a child with a terminal illness.

"Your efforts, love, and understanding, often discreetly and without words, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a letter ahead of the carol service.

A Gradual Return

The princess has been making her own measured re-emergence to official duties following her health challenges and treatment, in November making her major oration since 2023, 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 talented youth performers supported by the Future Talent charity, co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to widen access to music lessons.

An 18-year-old named Carys Wood, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been helped by the trust, with awards contributing to instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "amazing" to be playing at tonight's service.

"Musical pursuits are frequently pricey," she stated. She is now studying at the prestigious music academy, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to develop their musical skills.

A Family Affair

Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who plays the euphonium, will be present at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said.

Within the audience will be individuals spanning multiple eras.

That will include nine-year-old Saphia Turner, recipient of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for local food charities.

Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts

The Abbey has been festooned with custom-created holiday decorations, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett assisting in their creation.

Taking to the stage will be recording artist 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 Together at Christmas carol concert will be aired by a major network on Christmas Eve.