Princess Kate announces date of star-studded Christmas Carol Concert with new theme | Royal | News
Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas Carol Concert this year and will celebrate the “power of love” with the participation of celebrities. The Together in Christmas event, spearheaded by Princess Catherine for the fifth time, will take place at Westminster Abbey on 5 December.
Catherine’s annual festive event, which has become a major fixture in the royal calendar, will this year celebrate love “in all its forms” and aim to recognize and thank people across the country who act with love in their communities, contributing to a more harmonious and connected society. Actors Hannah Waddingham, Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor will give readings, and there will be hymns sung by the Westminster Abbey choir as well as musical performances.
Organizers say the theme ‘the power of love’ was chosen because in a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, the service will bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms.
This can be love within families, through friendships, across communities, or even in moments of connection with strangers.
This year, the future Queen will also honor the late Duchess of Kent, who died on September 4, aged 92, as young artists from Future Talent, a charity Katharine co-founded, play music outside the Abbey.
The charity aims to support musically talented children from low-income backgrounds.
Guests at Westminster Abbey were nominated by the UK’s lord lieutenants and charities linked to members of the Royal Family, and also included people invited after showing love and kindness this year.
Gardeners will be treated to a festive display created by Jamie Butterworth based on the importance of nature in our lives, while the Royal Horticultural Society will donate wreaths made by its ambassadors and schoolchildren.
The service aims to be a blend of traditional and modern elements, encompassing people of all faiths and no faith.
Around 15 community caroling ceremonies will also take place across the UK with the same theme of love and togetherness, held at locations including the Coronation Street Visitor Centre, an arts center in Newbury and a community farm in Gwent.
Armagh, Berkshire, Derbyshire, Dumfries, Dyfed, East Riding, Gwent, Greater Manchester, Isle of Wight, Lanarkshire, Nottinghamshire, Renfrewshire & Ayrshire, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Worcestershire are the locations of community services that will be hosted by lord-lieutenants and supported by the Royal Foundation.
The Westminster Abbey service will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve and will be repeated on Christmas Day.
