This evening, the Princess of Wales attended the Together At Christmas Carol Service, donning a stunning festive red coat designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Her look was completed with elegance as she arrived at Westminster Abbey.
Journalist Kate Mansey from The Times shared a video showcasing the Princess’s arrival, which drew attention on social media platforms.
The Princess of Wales has arrived at Westminster Abbey for her Christmas carol service – children and husband joining later pic.twitter.com/xJnHu3qRpW
— Kate Mansey (@KateMansey) December 6, 2024
This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Princess has hosted the Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, which also posted a delightful video capturing her entrance.
NOTE: Video contains flash photography 📸
HRH The Princess of Wales arrives ahead of tonight’s Royal Carols at Westminster Abbey. #RoyalCarols #TogetherAtChristmas pic.twitter.com/JpMNFNZltt— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) December 6, 2024
Here’s another perspective of the Princess as she ascended the Abbey steps:
Now, let’s take a look at some notable guests who attended the event, starting with Bernard Morgan, a 100-year-old D-Day veteran, who also serves as an Ambassador for the Royal British Legion. He is a former RAF sergeant and codebreaker, who bravely survived the D-Day landing.
Additionally, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy attended with his wife, Sarra Kemp. Following his prostate cancer diagnosis, Sir Chris revealed his life expectancy is between two and four years. In a related announcement, Lady Sarra disclosed that she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Other notable attendees included actress Hannah Waddingham and Grammy winner Gregory Porter, who performed “Do You Hear What I Hear?” during the concert, as well as Paloma Faith.
James Middleton and his wife, Alizee Thevenet, made an appearance, alongside Pippa Middleton Matthews.
The Princess’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, were also present, as well as The Duke of Kent and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The event welcomed Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, along with Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor and their daughters, Maud and Isabella. Another notable sighting included Lady Gabriella, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael, and Lady Helen, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.
Other attendees included Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and their stepson Wolfie.
The Duchess of Edinburgh entered the Abbey, receiving warm welcomes along the way.
As guests arrived, the Princess took time to converse with performers and attendees. Here she is speaking with the centenarian D-Day veteran Bernard Morgan.
In a Daily Mail article, Bernard Morgan expressed his gratitude for being invited to the concert and his desire to share his experiences with the younger generation, emphasizing the sacrifices made during the war.
‘I am very grateful to be invited, and I am honoured to light a candle on behalf of all the amazing volunteers at the Royal British Legion who give up their time to support veterans like me.
‘I am always keen for the younger generation to know exactly what went on during the War and to appreciate the sacrifice that our lads made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
‘Being able to continue to tell my story at 100 is wonderful, and I am grateful to the Princess of Wales and the Royal British Legion for giving me the opportunity to do that.’
Here, the Princess enjoys a moment with Sir Chris Hoy at the event:
The Princess also conversed with young performers before the concert:
Furthermore, she was seen with Gregory Porter, who performed during the concert:
The Princess engaged deeply with attendees, including a young boy, likely a Scout, showing her approachable nature:
The Princess was also seen with Olivia Dean, who performed “The Christmas Song,” and Paloma Faith, showcasing their camaraderie:
For more details on the event, you can read this ITV News article.
While chatting with Faith, who was dressed in red, the Princess noted, “It’s a celebration; everybody’s wearing red.”
Faith humorously mentioned her daughter’s reaction to her performing for a princess, prompting laughter and a light-hearted exchange.
Here, the Princess smiles alongside two young attendees:
For further insights into the event’s guests, you can explore this piece from the Daily Mail.
Attendees included members of the Southport community affected by a tragic stabbing and the family of Liz Hatton, an inspirational figure.
As the event continued, Prince William and the children made their entry, contributing to the atmosphere of familial love and togetherness.
Upon entering the Abbey, guests placed heartfelt messages on a “Kindness Tree,” creating a visual representation of the evening’s themes of kindness and empathy. The Wales children were spotted preparing to hang their messages:
A closer look at the children as they participated:
Johnny Goldsmith from The Mirror issued a sweet update about Prince Louis’ message on the Kindness Tree, which read, “Thank you to granny and grandpa for playing games with me.”
The sweet words on the card held by Prince Louis as he walks into Westminster Abbey https://t.co/rdX8c3P5Gm
by @ianvogler pic.twitter.com/4EEflLARCA
— Johnny Goldsmith (@MirrorJohnny) December 6, 2024
The Wales family was warmly welcomed into the service, with each member matching the event’s festive tone, notably aligning their outfits with the Princess’s red coat.
The ambiance within the Abbey was adorned for the occasion, thanks to decorations donated by Windsor Great Park. Christmas trees and festive wreaths created a warm atmosphere.
Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park were donated by the King. Beautiful wreaths decorated with red ribbons were provided by Fantasy Greens, transforming the Abbey into a festive haven.
Significantly, the themes of the concert revolved around love, kindness, and support among attendees:
“Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times,” stated Kate in a letter to invitees.
The essence of this year’s concert served as a reminder to be there for one another during challenging times.
The program cover featured beautiful illustrations by Charlie Mackesy, emphasizing the importance of kindness and friendship.
During the service, candles were lit, creating a magical atmosphere as music filled the Abbey:
The congregation was led by the Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster, alongside various performers throughout the evening. This spectacular concert will be aired on ITV and ITVX this Christmas Eve.
As guests departed, many continued to celebrate the spirit of the evening:
Princess Beatrice was noted for her coat from Hobbs London, while Zara Tindall shone in wine velvet separates from Veronica Beard:
Pippa Matthews showcased a past-season Karen Millen design, carrying a favorite bag by Emmy London:
Now, returning to the spotlight, let’s admire the Princess’s radiant ensemble:
She wore a vibrant red coat, reminiscent of the Alexander McQueen piece seen during past events, including the Hold Still launch in October 2020 and the royal train tour in December 2020.
The exquisite Emilia Wickstead skirt, also worn previously, added depth to her festive look:
UPDATE 7PM: Upon further inspection, it was confirmed that the Princess wore a black velvet bow from Jigsaw. The Velvet Bow Hair Clip, priced at $25, can be styled similarly.
Her elegant look was elevated by the Ralph Lauren Collection High Heel Boots in black suede, bringing sophistication to the ensemble:
For her accessories, the Princess opted for new Amberley Baroque Pearl Earrings by Mulberry, priced at $224. The designs reflect the brand’s iconic style:
The hardware showcases the iconic Rider’s Lock silhouette, crafted from gold-plated brass. Special thanks to UFO No More and Middleton Maven for the identification.
The Princess also sported a Halcyon Days bangle bracelet, potentially the Salamander Torque style in Forget-Me-Not:
As the enchanting evening unfolded, Princess Charlotte captured hearts with her delightful appearance in the Trotters design, wearing the brand’s Burgundy Classic Coat.
As the evening came to a close, I want to share one of my favorite moments from the event: a touching image of the Princess and her youngest child, Prince Louis.
UPDATE#2: There was curiosity surrounding the identity of a gentleman seen behind Prince Louis in some photos; he is George Gilman, the husband of Lady Rose Gilman.
NOTES:
- If any links to the carol concert on ITV become available, I’ll share them here and on Facebook.
- My friend Carly from Kate Middleton Style lost her page after 12 years on the site due to Facebook alleging she imitated a real person. If you’re interested, you can follow her new page here.
