The Princess of Wales's Annual Yuletide Service of Carols Honours Community Volunteers
Her Royal Highness has organised her yearly Yuletide celebration at Westminster Abbey, with guests including royals, celebrities and local heroes who have helped their communities.
The large audience will hear a blend of carols, music and readings from stars like Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
A Theme of Love and Generosity
The theme of the service, held in the atmospheric historic church on the afternoon, is generosity and expressing affection towards one's neighbour.
Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose young girl was lost to a brain tumour, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to aid parents with a terminally ill child.
"The time, care and compassion you give, often discreetly and without words, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," wrote Catherine in a letter ahead of the carol service.
A Gradual Return
The princess has been making her own gradual return to public life following her health challenges and treatment, last month delivering her initial major address in two years, in which she reflected on recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers".
Music and Opportunity
Those coming to the Abbey can listen to budding artists supported by the charitable trust Future Talent, established in part by the late Duchess of Kent to widen access to instrumental training.
Carys Wood, aged 18, who performs on the trumpet and is from Wales, has been assisted by the trust, with grants helping towards equipment, teaching, and travel fees - and she said it was "incredible" to be performing at tonight's service.
"Pursuing music is often costly," the musician remarked. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to develop their musical skills.
A Family Affair
Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who performs on the brass instrument, will likewise attend the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many distinguished guests," she said.
Attending the service will be representatives of different generations.
That will feature young Saphia Turner, nine, recipient of a young hero award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to raise money for local food charities.
Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment
The Abbey has been decorated with handcrafted festive wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett helping to make them.
Among the musical performers will be recording artist Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the group Fisherman's Friends, who said the invitation to sing was "the icing on the cake for us."
This annual carol service will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
