Westminster Abbey, with its soaring arches and centuries-old stones, was transformed into a haven of warmth and unity on December 5, 2025, as the Princess of Wales hosted her much-anticipated annual Christmas carol concert. The event, now in its fifth year as the 'Together At Christmas' celebration, drew 1,600 guests—an eclectic gathering of royals, celebrities, and local heroes whose acts of kindness have rippled through their communities.
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was undeniably the evening’s focal point. Clad in a striking dark green coat with a black faux fur collar to guard against the winter chill, she added a touch of sparkle with £11,195 white gold and diamond 'Tsar Star' earrings by Robinson Pelham—the same jeweler behind her wedding day pieces. According to the Daily Mail, the earrings’ unique eight-pointed star design seemed a fitting tribute to the night’s celestial theme and the spirit of hope it embodied.
For many, it was the first public sighting of the Wales family together since June’s Trooping the Colour. Prince William, Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7) joined Catherine outside the Abbey, all dressed smartly for the occasion. The family paused at the entrance to participate in a new tradition: each child added a red ribbon bearing their name to the 'Connection Tree,' a paper-chained evergreen symbolizing the power of togetherness and the importance of small moments of connection. As reported by the Daily Mail, guests were also invited to add their own links, weaving a tapestry of community right at the Abbey’s doorstep.
Inside, the Abbey glowed with candlelight and festive decorations, including Christmas wreaths crafted with help from Dame Mary Berry. The air was alive with anticipation and the gentle strains of music as young performers, supported by the Future Talent charity, welcomed guests. Eighteen-year-old trumpeter Carys Wood and her 13-year-old sister, Eliza, both from Pembrokeshire, played for the assembled crowd. Carys, now studying at the Royal Academy of Music, told the BBC, “Music can be very expensive. Everyone should have the opportunity to develop their musical skills.” Her younger sister Eliza added, “I never thought I’d be able to play there in front of so many important people. Everyone should have a chance to play music.”
The service’s theme—kindness and showing love to others—was woven into every moment. In her letter to guests, Catherine wrote, “The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the evening, from the readings to the performances.
Actress Kate Winslet delivered a personally penned reading, invited by the princess’s staff to write something inspired by love. She reflected, “Love doesn’t always arrive wrapped in ribbons. Love can be expressed in how we treat one another, with kindness and grace. It’s in the laughter shared across a table, a hand held in comfort, the courage to reach out to someone who might otherwise be alone. At this special time of year, we’re reminded that love takes many forms—in families, in friendship, in the simple act of being there for one another. Those connections—with neighbours, friends, and even strangers—lift our communities and make others feel like they belong. We all deserve to belong.”
Other notable performances included Chiwetel Ejiofor, who read a poem, and musical guests such as Katie Melua singing “White Christmas,” Dan Smith performing “O Holy Night,” and the Cornish sea shanty group Fisherman’s Friends offering a rousing rendition of “I Saw Three Ships” beside a nativity scene. The Westminster Abbey choristers led traditional carols, culminating in a resounding “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.” When a last-minute illness kept actress Hannah Waddingham from performing, the crowd was treated to a moving version of “Silent Night” by Zak Abel, whose stand-in performance earned special praise from the audience.
Prince William ascended the pulpit for a Bible reading, while the congregation listened in respectful silence. The order of service, adorned with a green ivy motif, featured a quote from William Morris—“Love is enough”—a nod to Catherine’s admiration for the Victorian designer and social activist, as highlighted by the BBC.
The guest list was as inspiring as the program itself. Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, founders of Kayleigh’s Wee Stars charity, attended in memory of their daughter, who died of a brain tumour. Their charity, which has awarded over £1 million in support to families with terminally ill children, exemplified the evening’s focus on unsung community heroes. Anna Cordiner told the Daily Mail, “This is an incredible opportunity to bring people together. Our invitation is an acknowledgement of what the wider community has achieved. We feel very humbled to be part of it.”
Among the youngest guests was Saphia Turner, a nine-year-old winner of the BBC’s Make a Difference Young Hero Award, who raises funds for food banks through her artwork and sponsored challenges. At the other end of the spectrum, D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, aged 102, attended, representing the enduring spirit of service across generations.
Catherine’s return to public life after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy added an extra layer of poignancy to the event. Last month, she gave her first public speech in two years, reflecting on the “quiet, often invisible work of caring.” Throughout the evening, she mingled with guests, sharing hugs with Holocaust survivor Steven Frank—whom she had photographed in 2020—and greeting Canadian actor Eugene Levy, who recently featured Prince William in his travel show. “You know my husband very well now,” Catherine joked to Levy, “I hope he looked after you. And you got to meet our dog.” Levy replied, “It was a memorable day that’s for sure.”
Other royals, including Mike and Zara Tindall, joined the celebration, while Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were unable to attend despite being thoughtfully invited. Even a minor last-minute hiccup—the absence of Waddingham’s singing voice—couldn’t dampen the festive spirit, as the show went on with grace and good humor.
As the service drew to a close, guests were offered hot chocolate to warm their hands on a cold London night, a simple gesture that captured the event’s message: sometimes, it’s the smallest acts of kindness that mean the most. For those unable to attend in person, the 'Together at Christmas' concert will be televised on ITV1 on Christmas Eve, ensuring that the evening’s message of love and connection can reach homes across the country.
In a world often marked by division and uncertainty, the Princess of Wales’s carol concert offered a powerful reminder that compassion, generosity, and togetherness still have the power to light up even the darkest winter night.
