Kate Middleton reveals she will host her carol service again as she shares photo of a tree in a £179 Holland Cooper jumper
The Princess of Wales will once again host her carol service, with midwives and nursery teachers among the guests in celebration of those who support young children and families.
Kate’s now traditional festive event will be attended by members of the royal family, with the King and Queen likely to join the gathering as they did last year, alongside the Princess’s husband William and her eldest two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
In a sweet photo announcing the news, the princess is shown pruning a Christmas tree in a £179 Fair Isle Jumper from Holland Cooper, which she first wore last year while reading a bedtime story on CBeebies.
Singers Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, performer Freya Ridings and singer-songwriter James Bay will be among the entertainers at the Westminster Abbey service, which will be staged on December 8 and broadcast on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
The service will combine traditional and modern elements to include people of all faiths and no faiths, and the Westminster Abbey choir will perform some of the country’s favorite Christmas carols.
The Princess of Wales will once again host her carol service, with midwives and nursery teachers among the guests in celebration of those who support young children and families.
Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Princess Charlotte and Prince George at the Christmas carol service last year
This year the service will mirror Kate’s Shaping Us early years campaign, launched in January, which aims to highlight the importance of the formative years of a child’s life.
It has been billed as a time to thank everyone who works to support babies, young children and families in communities across the UK.
Attendees have been nominated by Lord Lieutenants from across the country and charities linked to members of the Royal Family. In addition to those working in the early years sector, there will also be those who may have had a challenging year, including children and families, or those who may find the winter period difficult.
It is not known whether Prince Louis, now five, will attend. Last year he was considered too young.
In addition to the Westminster Abbey service, there will be twelve community songs across the UK, organized by Lord Lieutenants and supported by William and Kate’s Royal Foundation.
Last year many members of the Royal Family and the Middletons attended the event.
For the first time since the late queen’s death, Kate said the concert was dedicated to her husband’s grandmother “and to everyone who is sadly no longer with us.”
During the concert, Kate spoke emotionally about Queen Elizabeth’s affinity for the festive season “as a time that brings people together and reminds us all of important values.”
The service will be held in Westminster Abbey (pictured)
Kensington Palave shared photos of the festivities next month
The service was supported by the Royal Foundation and highlights included a rendition of Away in a Manger, sung by Ukrainian children who escaped war in their home country.
The children, who were invited to perform by the Princess of Wales, stole the hearts of viewers as they paid tribute to Ukrainians around the world.
Inna Hryhorovych, headmistress of the children’s school, St Mary’s Ukrainian School in London, was among those Kate paid tribute to for going ‘above and beyond’ in supporting the community.
The show shows Ms Hryhorovych receiving a letter from Kate thanking her for the care she provides to the families and children who attend the school.
Another favorite moment among viewers was Princess Charlotte’s delighted expression as actor Hugh Bonneville read a Christmas excerpt from a Paddington Bear story by Michael Bond.
The Prince of Wales read an extract from Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas message to guests during last year’s service
Actor Hugh Bonneville read an extract from Paddington’s Christmas Post last year
Melanie C performed at the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London last year
Alfie Boe sang with Melanie C at the Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey last year
Nicola Adams at the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey last year
Alexis French (pictured) played In the Bleak Midwinter on a grand piano, which featured images of Her Majesty the Queen
Charlotte whispered excitedly to mum Kate when she realized Bonneville, who played Henry Brown in the two Paddington films, would be reading about the beloved childhood bear.
The marmalade-loving bear also filmed an iconic sketch with Charlotte’s grandmother, The Queen, to mark her platinum anniversary in June.
Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, were also in attendance with their husbands, Jack Brooksbank and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Zara and Mike Tindall were also present.
Other attendees included Kate’s mother Carole Middleton and her sister Pippa, along with her husband James Matthews.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, sat next to the Princess of Wales during the service.
Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent also appeared at the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, one of the late Queen’s cousins, also joined the congregation.
King Charles III’s siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, did not appear to attend the event.