🔗 Share this article Catherine's Traditional Yuletide Musical Celebration Pays Tribute to Charity Helpers The Princess of Wales is pictured at Westminster Abbey in preparation for the festive concert. The Princess of Wales is hosting her customary Christmas carol concert at the historic Abbey, with a congregation comprising royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas. The sizable congregation will hear a selection of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from stars like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet. Centred Around Compassion and Love The central message of the service, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on Friday afternoon, is generosity and expressing affection towards one's neighbour. Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a tumour, and who founded an organisation, a support fund, to help households where there is a terminally ill child. "The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often quietly and unspoken, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," wrote Catherine in a note prior to the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The royal has been undertaking her own measured re-emergence to public life subsequent to her illness and medical care, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she discussed recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers". Musical Talent and Access Attendees entering the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to increase availability of instrumental training. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who plays the trumpet and is from southwest Wales, has been assisted by the charity, with awards contributing to instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "amazing" to be taking part in the concert. "Pursuing music is often costly," the musician remarked. 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. Generations Gathering Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who performs on the brass instrument, will also be at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said. Within the audience will be people from various age groups. That will include nine-year-old Saphia Turner, honouree of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for food banks. Festive Decor and Performances The Abbey has been adorned with specially made wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett contributing to their design. Among the musical performers will be Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a Cornish sea shanty group, 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 aired by television on December 24th.
The Princess of Wales is pictured at Westminster Abbey in preparation for the festive concert. The Princess of Wales is hosting her customary Christmas carol concert at the historic Abbey, with a congregation comprising royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas. The sizable congregation will hear a selection of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from stars like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet. Centred Around Compassion and Love The central message of the service, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on Friday afternoon, is generosity and expressing affection towards one's neighbour. Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a tumour, and who founded an organisation, a support fund, to help households where there is a terminally ill child. "The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often quietly and unspoken, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," wrote Catherine in a note prior to the concert. Carefully Paced Reappearance The royal has been undertaking her own measured re-emergence to public life subsequent to her illness and medical care, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she discussed recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers". Musical Talent and Access Attendees entering the Abbey can listen to talented youth performers backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to increase availability of instrumental training. Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who plays the trumpet and is from southwest Wales, has been assisted by the charity, with awards contributing to instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "amazing" to be taking part in the concert. "Pursuing music is often costly," the musician remarked. 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. Generations Gathering Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who performs on the brass instrument, will also be at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many notable figures," she said. Within the audience will be people from various age groups. That will include nine-year-old Saphia Turner, honouree of a prize for youthful altruism, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for food banks. Festive Decor and Performances The Abbey has been adorned with specially made wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett contributing to their design. Among the musical performers will be Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a Cornish sea shanty group, 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 aired by television on December 24th.