Overview
- The Westminster Abbey service takes place on Friday, Dec. 5, marking the fifth year of the event and welcoming around 1,600 guests to celebrate love, compassion and connection.
- Kate’s personal letter thanks volunteers for their ‘time, care and compassion’ and will be given to attendees at the Abbey and at 15 linked community carol services across the UK.
- Readings come from the Prince of Wales, Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, with performances by Hannah Waddingham, Katie Melua, Fisherman’s Friends, Griff and Bastille’s Dan Smith, accompanied in parts by pianist Paul Gladstone Reid.
- The service features nature-inspired decor created with the Royal Horticultural Society; a wreath-making video highlighted contributors including Dame Mary Berry, and young musicians from Future Talent will play in tribute to the late Duchess of Kent.
- The event is being filmed for Royal Carols: Together At Christmas on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve with a repeat on Christmas Day, co-produced by BBC Studios Events and The Royal Foundation, with guests including community honourees, sports figures such as Michelle Agyemang and Red Roses players, and former England captain Lewis Moody.