The Princess of Wales is marking the festive period with the return of her Christmas Carol service, entering its fifth year with the theme of ‘love and togetherness.’
The annual carol service – titled Royal Carols: Together At Christmas – is set to be filmed this week, taking place on Friday 5 December at Westminster Abbey. The public won’t be able to watch until much close to Christmas though, when it airs on Christmas Eve.
Kate Middleton with son Louis at her 2023 Christmas Carol concert ©Imago
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Each year the Princess of Wales dedicates her carol concert to a new cause. 2021’s was to honour those who had supported their community during the pandemic, with 2022’s dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth. 2023 was focused on ‘children and families,’ with last year’s dedicated to the importance of ‘love and empathy.’
This year’s theme is ‘love in all its forms,’ celebrating people from across the UK who have dedicated or volunteered their time to be present with others, led initiatives to bring their community together, or offered a helping hand to those around them. Guests will be able to add their own named loop onto a paper chain on the ‘Connection Tree’, supported by Hobbycraft, with one new aspect of this year seeing an illustrator capturing live snapshot’s of the Abbey service.
With Kate’s concert back for another year, here’s everything you need to know – including who’s performing, who’s attending, and how to watch.
Who will be performing at Kate’s Christmas Carol Service?
Each year sees celebrity performers give readings and musical performances at the iconic Westminster Abbey. Speakers this year will include the Prince of Wales, Titanic star Kate Winslet, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy‘s Chiwetel Ejiofor, comedian Babatunde Aleshe, and Heartstopper‘s Joe Locke.
Musical performances will also take place from the likes of Hannah Waddingham, Bastille’s Dan Smith, Katie Melua and Cornish folk music group, singer Griff, and Fisherman’s Friends. There’s also said to be a performance by Platinum Performing Arts, an organisation based in the heart of Edmonton, North London.
One of the big moments this year will be music from teenage performers from Future Talent, a charity cofounded by the late Duchess of Kent to support musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds. Katharine Worsley, who was married to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, The Duke of Kent, died earlier this year aged 92. Known for stepping back from her royal duties to work as a music teacher, she was passionately committed to the belief that music should be accessible for all.
The Abbey itself will be decorated for the service by horticulturist Jamie Butterworth, who designs using British woodland trees interwoven with fruits and berries. There’ll also be wreaths donated by The Royal Horticulture Society and florist Simon Lycett, which have been made in partnership with schoolchildren and RHS Ambassadors, including Dame Mary Berry.
Where can I watch Kate’s Christmas Carol Service?
Unfortunately, this isn’t the type of carol concert any Londoners can pop along to. The event is invite only.
As done in previous years, Kate’s carol service will be filmed and shown on TV on 24 December, Christmas Eve. It’ll then be repeated on Christmas Day, giving you ample opportunity to tune in.
Which Royals will attend Kate’s Christmas Carol Service?
In past years, Kate has been joined at the ceremony by her children George, Charlotte and Louis, as well as her husband, Prince William. The royal children are set to attend again, with the Prince of Wales expected to give a reading.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 8: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been subject to approvals prior to transmission.) (left to right) Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis blowing out his candle and Catherine, Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols – Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)
Members of the royal family will also make up the 1,600-strong congregation, however a confirmed list of attendees has not yet been released. William’s cousin, Zara Tindall, has confirmed she will attend with her husband, Ruby player Mike. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are also thought to attend, with Kate’s extended family also usually invited.
However, King Charles and Queen Camilla are thought not to be attending. They were not included in an expected guest list, and have not attended in previous years.
No doubt there will also be plenty of celebrities on the guest list, too. Among those who were in attendance last year included Lorraine Kelly, Tom Fletcher and Giovanna Fletcher, Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay, Amy Dowden, Kate Garraway, and Richard E. Grant.
Charlotte Roberts is a writer at Grazia UK, specialising in SEO. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment – from film review roundups to cast explainers.
