Catherine's Annual Festive Musical Celebration Spotlights Community Volunteers

Her Royal Highness has organised her annual Christmas carol concert at the iconic London venue, with a congregation comprising members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have helped their communities.

The sizable congregation will hear a blend of carols, music and readings from stars like award-winning actors.

Centred Around Love and Generosity

The theme of the concert, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others.

Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain tumour, and who set up a charity, a charity called Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to help households where there is a terminally ill child.

"The time, care and compassion you give, often discreetly and without words, and without any hope for reward or acknowledgement, make an profound impact to the lives of others," Her Royal Highness stated in a note prior to the festive gathering.

A Steady Comeback

The princess has been making her own gradual return to official duties after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, in November making her initial major address in two years, in which she reflected on recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring".

Music and Opportunity

Those coming to the Abbey will enjoy performances from talented youth performers backed by the charitable trust Future Talent, set up with the help of the late Duchess of Kent to widen access to instrumental training.

Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who performs on the trumpet and is from Pembrokeshire, has been helped by the charity, with awards contributing to instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "incredible" to be taking part in the concert.

"Music can be very expensive," Carys said. She is now a student at the prestigious music academy, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to cultivate their performance abilities.

Generations Gathering

Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who plays the euphonium, will likewise attend the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many important people," she said.

Among the guests will be representatives of different generations.

That will include Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a youth community award, who creates and sells art and completes fundraising tasks to generate funds for community pantries.

Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment

The Abbey has been adorned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett helping to make them.

Among the musical performers will be Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a Cornish sea shanty group, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "the perfect culmination."

The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be aired by a major network on Christmas Eve.