Her Royal Highness's Traditional Festive Service of Carols Pays Tribute to Unsung Heroes
The Princess of Wales is hosting her yearly Yuletide celebration at Westminster Abbey, with guests including royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas.
The large audience will enjoy a mix of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from performers including award-winning actors.
Centred Around Love and Generosity
The theme of the concert, held in the candle-lit Abbey on the afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others.
Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a brain cancer, and who founded an organisation, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to aid parents with a youngster facing a life-limiting condition.
"Your efforts, love, and understanding, often quietly and unspoken, and without any thought of thanks or praise, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," Her Royal Highness stated in a letter ahead of the concert.
A Gradual Return
The princess has been making her own steady comeback to official duties after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving her first public speech for two years, in which she talked about recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers".
Performance and Potential
Attendees entering the Abbey will be entertained by budding artists backed by the Future Talent charity, co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to widen access to musical tuition.
Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who plays the trumpet and is from Wales, has been helped by the trust, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "amazing" to be performing at the concert.
"Pursuing music is often costly," Carys said. She is now studying at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "everyone should have the opportunity" to cultivate their performance abilities.
Generations Gathering
Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who is a euphonium player, will be present at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many important people," she said.
Among the guests will be representatives of different generations.
That will feature Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a young hero award, who produces drawings and undertakes charity feats to collect donations for food banks.
Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment
The Abbey has been decorated with handcrafted festive wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett contributing to their design.
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 chance to take part was "a dream come true."
The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be broadcast on television on December 24th.
