NEED TO KNOW
- Days before her 2025 Christmas concert, Princess Catherine has shared a personal message about the importance of connecting during “uncertain” times.
- This year’s concert theme is “love in all its forms”.
- It will take place on December 5, at Westminster Abbey.
Princess Catherine has reiterated the importance of getting together in a personal letter, just before her Christmas concert.
The Princess of Wales released the letter this week in the lead-up to the event, which is taking place at Westminster Abbey on December 5.
“This carol service offers a moment of collective togetherness, a chance to celebrate the spirit of community and service, and to honour the visible and invisible bonds that unite us all,” she 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.”
“Christmas is a time that reminds us how deeply our lives are woven together. Just as the roots of trees share strength beneath the soil, unseen but vital, so too do we. We are drawn by an instinctive pull towards belonging and connection.”
She also added that the holiday season reminds us to reach out “at a time when life can feel fragmented or uncertain”.
A special concert honour
During the event, she is also set to honour Katharine, the late Duchess of Kent. The former Duchess, who was married to Prince Edward, died in September at the age of 92.
Katharine was passionate about music and founded the Future Talent group in 2004, which supports musically gifted children across the UK who come from low-income families.
In a touching tribute, before the Princess of Wales’ concert, guests will hear young performers from the group.
A Christmas olive branch
It also followed reports that Kate reached out to Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice to invite them to one of her most-anticipated Christmas events.
According to Fox News, the Princess of Wales has sent “personal invitations” to them for her Christmas concert, amid the scandal with their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
“This year, the Princess of Wales will host her fifth ‘Together at Christmas’ concert, and the theme is love in all its forms,” royal commentator Neil Sean told Fox News.
“This is Catherine’s project, and she has the final say — very similar to the way Prince William operates Earthshot [Prize]. Above all, yes, the royal family wants to be seen as united amid what has been a very difficult year.”
“This puts the sisters in a very difficult dilemma,” he continued. “If they don’t attend, it looks like they’re snubbing a prestigious invite. If they do attend, they know there could be a media circus with them at the centre of attention.”
What is planned for Princess Catherine’s Christmas concert?
Buckingham Palace announced plans for the concert on November 13.
“In a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, love is the force that reconnects us all – spanning generations, communities, cultures, and faiths,” the Palace said in a statement.
“As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of the power of togetherness. The evening will highlight the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence, and joy.”
Who is going to Princess Catherine’s Christmas concert?
Around 1600 people are expected to attend, including a mix of celebrities and members of the royal family.
The Holiday star Kate Winslet is due to attend, along with actress and singer Hannah Waddingham, singer Dan Smith, and British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. All four stars will also give readings.
Other guests include people who have launched initiatives to bring people together and those who have dedicated time or volunteered to unite communities.
The service will feature Westminster Abbey’s renowned choir, which will sing beloved British carols and other musical performances.
Last year, Prince William and Princess Kate brought their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, to the event.
The concert will also be filmed for broadcast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the UK.
The outside will be transformed into a festive environment, in partnership with plantsman and horticulturalist Jamie Butterworth. The Royal Horticultural Society will also donate wreaths produced by schoolchildren and ambassadors, which will be displayed inside.
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