With the holiday season upon us, the Royal Family geared up for Christmas by supporting the Duchess of Cambridge at The Together At Christmas Community Carol Service.
Held at Westminster Abbey, the service was spearheaded by the Duchess as a way to thank people across the United Kingdom for helping their communities during the global health crisis. The Duchess’ husband was in attendance, even taking the floor to give a reading at the service.
Supported by The Royal Foundation, other members of the Royal Family who were in attendance included Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Zara and Mike Tindall, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, and Princess Beatrice alongside her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. In addition, the Duchess of Cambridge’s family was also in attendance, including her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, her sister, Pippa Matthews, her brother James, and his wife, Alizée Thevenet.
The concert featured The Abbey’s world-renowned choir singing Christmas Carols as well as readings and musical performances from a variety of guests to encompass people of all faiths including pop stars Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding.
Her Majesty The Queen was not in attendance at the service. While she was not physically at the event, Her Majesty showed her support by donating Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park to help decorate The Abbey for the event. Wreaths were also donated by the Royal Horticultural Society and were donated to local schools following the event.
The Queen has been carrying out fewer engagements since October after she pulled out of the GOP26 Climate Summit on advice from medical staff. While it is not known why Her Majesty was absent, it is likely because she is taking up residence at Windsor Castle ahead of heading to Sandringham for the holiday.
The event will be broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve. Kensington Palace has previously described the affair as a way to honour “the incredible work of individuals and organisations across the nation who have stepped up to support their communities through the pandemic.”
