It’s beginning to look like Christmas!!!!
The Duchess of Cambridge gave Christmas this year a royal touch. Catherine hosted a Christmas Carol service ‘Together at Christmas’ at Westminster Abbey. She was accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge for the celebration of the community. Hosted and spearheaded by the Duchess of Cambridge, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the event paid tribute to the incredible work of individuals and organizations across the UK who have supported their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Filmed for broadcast, the service provided a moment for the nation to come together and reflect, to think not only of the extraordinary challenges that we have faced, but also to celebrate the acts of kindness that we have witnessed across our nation, the communities pulling together to protect and care for those in need, and those who have stepped up to help others.
Combining traditional elements with a modern and inclusive feel to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service featured carols sung by the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir alongside musical performances by Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding. It also incorporated the performance of To The Day, a poignant composition created for the service by poet and writer Lemn Sissay, and readings delivered by speakers including The Duke of Cambridge, British Paralympian, and junior doctor Kim Daybell and Kate Garraway.
The event will be broadcast as part of ‘Royal Carols: Together At Christmas’, a special program which will be aired by ITV at 7:30 pm on Christmas Eve. The broadcast will feature additional content including an introduction from the Duchess of Cambridge, videos highlighting the efforts of inspirational organizations, and a special performance by Tom Walker of his new Christmas single For Those Who Can’t Be Here.
About the event, Kensington Palace said, “Unsung heroes from across the length and breadth of the nation have been invited to attend the service in recognition of their tireless efforts and selfless acts of kindness despite incredibly difficult circumstances. Nominations have been drawn from Lieutenancies across the UK, alongside community networks, charitable organizations, and patronages of Her Majesty The Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Individuals who the Duke and Duchess have met and spent time with during their recent engagements and project work will also be present, alongside those working in some of the key areas that Their Royal Highnesses and The Royal Foundation continue to focus on. The congregation will also include armed forces personnel who were involved in Operation Pitting, young carers, faith leaders, and guests who may be more vulnerable or isolated within our society.”
Sophie Countess of Wessex,Princess Eugene Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie arrive at Westminster Abbey for Carol concert hosted by Catherine Duchess of Cambridge #Royals #Westminsterabbey #royalfamily #Christmas #carols #concert pic.twitter.com/LfRGeZvhwy
— Rookie (@royalfocus1) December 8, 2021
The Countess of Wessex, Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Beatrice, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi along with Princess Eugenie also attended the service.
The Middletons arrive for Westminster Abbey Carol Concert hosted by The Duchess of Cambridge #Royals #Carolconcert #Westminster pic.twitter.com/yu0oBJB8Qk
— Rookie (@royalfocus1) December 8, 2021
Joining the Royal couple at the service was Middleton Family – Catherine’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton. Her siblings Pippa and James. James’ new wife Alizee also joined the family.
The special names on the list were two little heroes from 2020 – Mila Sneddon who featured in the Duchess of Cambridge’s super successful pandemic project ‘Hold Still 2020’. The four years old Mila was going through treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and had to isolate herself from her father and sister during the first lockdown. Her mother Lynda clicked a photograph when Mila reunited with her dad through the window.
The Duchess met with Mila during the Scotland tour this year. From Hello!’s report, “The youngster gave Kate a twirl in her green sequined dress before taking her seat behind the royals. Mila said afterward: “She asked me what I was getting from Father Christmas and I told her I wanted a Barbie Dreamhouse. ‘I showed her my dress and she said I looked lovely.’ Mum Lynda said: “Last two Christmases Mila has been in hospital so we are looking forward to having Mila at home this year. We are just an ordinary family, it is amazing to be invited.”
The Duchess of Cambridge shared some very warm words with guests.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has presented us all with countless and previously unimaginable challenges. We have lost loved ones, seen our frontline workers placed under immeasurable pressure, and we have experienced heart-wrenching isolation from those we hold most dear.
In our roles, William and I are so fortunate to meet and spend time with phenomenal people across the country who day-in-day-out support individuals and families. And over the past two years, we have been truly inspired by countless people who have brought their communities together through simple acts of long and kindness.
This carol service is our small way of recognizing the inspiring contribution so many of you have made. Thank you.
Christmas is a time when we can reflect on the past, listen to one another, focus on the relationships that nurture us, and build our resilience, so we can look forward to a shared brighter future.
My hope is that this service creates a moment for us to do this together.
The service was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, who welcomed the congregation to the Abbey and pronounced the Blessing. The Duke of Cambridge and Paralympian Kim Daybell gave readings from St Luke’s Gospel.
For the celebratory night, The Duchess of Cambridge chose the Christmas color – Red.
The Duchess was wearing a red Catherine Walker Beau-tie dress. The wool coat dress features pleats falling gently from the shoulder to tie into a bow at the neckline
The Duchess of Cambridge paired the outfit with The Queen Mother’s Sapphire and Diamond Fringe Earrings that she first wore in October 2015 at the 100 Women in Hedge Fund gala dinner. The earrings feature sapphires surrounded by diamonds with a fringe of diamonds and small sapphires suspended at the bottom.
Catherine brought back her Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Gianvito 105’ Red pumps debuted at the special screening of the Recovery Street Film Festival in 2016.
The Duchess carried her Miu Miu Bow-embellished Bag first seen on day 2 of Royal Tour Canada in 2016.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s half-term winter break will be starting next week. So I believe the Cambridge Clan will be heading to their country heaven ‘Anmer Hall’ for the Christmas celebrations. It is being reported that The Queen will be hosting the family at Sandringham during Christmas so we can expect the regular Christmas walk that was canceled last year. I am expecting little Louis to be a part of the walk this year.