Kate Middleton arrives for the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in December 2022.Photo: Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty
EvenKate Middletongets hit with tech glitches!
While the plans were not listed at press time onThe Royal Diarytab of the Royal.UK website, where the official engagements of royal family members are published up to eight weeks in advance, Dec. 8 aligns with past precedent.The Royal Carols: Together At Christmasconcert has been held around the same time for the last two years, an initiative Princess Kate spearheaded to pay tribute to the individuals and organizations across the U.K. who supported their communities during the COVID pandemic.
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester at Trooping the Colour in June 2023.Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
It will be a royal repeat if the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the possible Christmas concert, as they supported last year. The Duke of Gloucester, 79, isQueen Elizabeth’s first cousin and a full-time working royal alongside his wife. The couple resides at Kensington Palace and steps out for events like the Royal Ascot and Trooping the Colour — though you won’t see their three adult children, as they do not carry out royal duties.
Prince William, Kate Middleton and Sophie, now the Duchess of Edinburgh, at the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in December 2021.Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty
Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty
According to a royal source, the idea for the duet came from the princess herself, who learned the piano as a child and took “great comfort” in playing music throughout the pandemic.
“Music was very important to the [then] Duchess during the lockdowns,” a royal source said at the time. “She also recognizes the powerful way in which music brings people together — especially during difficult times. For these reasons, she was keen to be part of Tom’s performance in this way.”
Though the Princess of Wales didn’t play piano at the 2022 show at Westminster Abbey last Dec. 15, the festive event was again held to bring together members of the royal family with charity staff, community volunteers, frontline workers, military personnel and more to “celebrate the joythat human connection can bring,” Buckingham Palace said in a release at the time. Princess Kate also brought along two special guests for the first time —Prince GeorgeandPrincess Charlotte!
The Prince and Princess of Wales entered the event holding hands with George, 10, and Charlotte, 8, while their youngest,Prince Louis, 5, stayed home. The little prince might have missed the concert for a relatable reason, as the evening event was probably past his bedtime.
The event remained a family affair withKing Charles,Queen Camilla,Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank,Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Zara and Mike Tindall, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lord Frederick Windsor, his wife Sophie Winkleman, Lady Gabriella Windsor and her husband Tom Kingston all attending. Princess Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, also came out with her sister, Pippa.
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Queen Elizabeth smiles at the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London.PAUL GROVER/POOL/AFP via Getty
Last year’s program was woven withtributestoQueen Elizabeth, who died in September 2022 at age 96.
“This carol service is dedicated to Her MajestyQueen ElizabethII, and to all those who are sadly no longer with us. Her Late Majesty’s strongly held values of duty, compassion and faith have guided the creation of this service,” a message inside the program forRoyal Carols: Together at Christmasread.
As the service began, a film played highlighting how the late Queen was at the heart of Christmas Day for so many people with her annual holiday address.
Prince Williamalso gave a poignant reading and revisited his late grandmother’sChristmas broadcastfrom 2012.
source: people.com
