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The royal family likes to celebrate during the holidays.
And for the past three years, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has added to the merriment with her annual Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey.
This year will be no different and the Princess will host the event tomorrow – making it one of Kate’s few official appearances this year as she gradually returns to work following cancer treatment.
The service, Together At Christmas, is televised on December 24 each year and is often well attended by members of the Royal Family and the Middletons.
The service will, Kensington Palace said, “shine a light on individuals from across the United Kingdom who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their community.”
“It’s been a focal point for her, like every year,” the source added.
As the fourth carol service approaches, we’ve collected some of the most heartwarming moments from previous years.
The Princess of Wales plays the piano during Tom Walker’s 2021 televised appearance
Royal Carols: Together with Christmas, 2021
Kate held her first carol service of 2021 as Covid restrictions began to ease on December 8.
Together At Christmas celebrated key pandemic workers and aired on ITV on Christmas Eve.
Kate had helped prepare Westminster Abbey and was involved in putting up baubles on a tree and large festive wreaths.
The Princess of Wales arrived at the service in a beautiful red coat dress with large bow detailing on the bodice. She wore the Queen Mother’s sapphire and diamond fringe earrings and a red suede bag.
Kate is helping Westminster Abbey prepare for the 2021 carol service
Kate plays the piano in the candlelit abbey while Tom Walker sings and plays guitar
Kate talks to Mila Sneddon, 6, ahead of the Together At Christmas carol service
Her husband Prince William was of course also at the service.
In what was perhaps the highlight of the service, Kate played the piano as Tom Walker sang For Those Who Can’t Be Here.
The princess’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, were in the audience, along with her sister Pippa, her brother James and James’ wife Alizee.
William’s cousins, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, also enjoyed the show.
The evening included performances by British singers Ellie Goulding and Leona Lewis.
Kate greeted guests warmly behind a face mask – including children Mila Sneddon, then six, and Tony Hugell, then eight.
Prince William and Kate pass members of the Middleton family who are in the congregation
Kate accessorized with the Queen Mother’s sapphire and diamond earrings
Cousins Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie were among the royals in service
Christmas 2022
The second carol service, in 2022, was dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth, who had passed away earlier that year.
Two of the Welsh children were present: Princess Charlotte and Prince George.
Kate wore an elegant burgundy coat dress to match her daughter’s, while William and George both wore black coats.
King Charles and Queen Camilla also took part in the festivities, as did Sophie, the then Countess of Wessex, Zara and Mike Tindall, the Duke of Kent and other royals.
Dedicating the service to the late Queen, Kate said in an introductory video to the broadcast: ‘Last year’s event reminded me what I love most about Christmas: seeing people coming together, celebrating and experiencing special moments, while also thinking of the year that is. past.
‘This Christmas will be our first without Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Kate wears an elegant burgundy coat dress to the 2022 Christmas carol service
King Charles and Queen Camilla also took part in the festivities, as did Sophie, the then Countess of Wessex, Zara and Mike Tindall, the Duke of Kent and other royals.
“Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion.”
Kate invited ‘inspirational individuals’ to the service who she said ‘demonstrated the power of connection and community values, allowing us to continue Her Majesty’s tradition of recognizing and thanking those who have gone above and beyond to support others’ .
And she added: “Her Majesty leaves us with an incredible legacy, a legacy that has deeply inspired many of us. This year’s carol service is dedicated to her and to everyone who is sadly no longer with us.”
The service included performances from Craig David, Alexis Ffrench, Samantha Barks and Alfie Boe and Melanie C, who performed a duet.
Kate and Prince George at the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
King Charles spoke during the Christmas carol service two years ago
Last year’s Christmas service
Kate’s third Christmas service was another momentous occasion for the royals.
Prince Louis joined his siblings for the first time and before walking into Westminster Abbey, the trio posted letters to Santa in a miniature red letterbox.
Kate wore a glamorous white coat over a cream sweater paired with wide-leg trousers.
Princess Beatrice’s stepson, Christopher Woolf, attended with the royal family and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis arrived at the carol service last year
The siblings posted letters to Santa in a small red mailbox before the service as their parents watched
Kate smiles as Louis blows out his candle during last year’s service at Westminster Abbey
The family sat together during the service and everyone held hymnals as they sang.
In a sweet moment, Kate was seen smiling as she helped Louis as he blew out his candle.
Princess Beatrice’s stepson, Christopher Woolf, attended with the royal family and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Kate greeted members of the congregation, including a scout group, as well as esteemed actress Sheila Hancock, radio host Roman Kemp and his mother Shirley, and former American Idol winner Adam Lambert.
The family sat together during the service and everyone held hymnals as they sang
Princess Beatrice’s stepson Christopher Woolf attended the royal family and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Kate with Charlotte and Louis holding candles during the service
The Princess of Wales greeted a scout group that was part of the congregation