The Princess is Festive for “Together at Christmas” Carol Concert

The Princess of Wales was in festive green and red for tonight’s ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey. 

She arrived early to greet guests, volunteers, and performers, and was then joined by the rest of the Wales family.

The Dean of Westminster, Paul Baumann CBE LVO, and the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle welcomed the Princess.

Kate Mansey of The Times shared a video of her arrival at the Abbey.

The Princess of Wales has arrived @wabbey to host her Together at Christmas carol service.
She’ll meet guests and performers before being joined by her family. pic.twitter.com/6lz8PpTPoH

— Kate Mansey (@KateMansey) December 5, 2025

As people arrived, the Princess greeted guests. 

More from The Telegraph’s coverage. 

The Princess has dedicated the 2025 service to “you and the love you have shown”, with a congregation made up of charity fundraisers, community volunteers, fellow cancer patients and those who have shown “love, joy and compassion to others in their time of need”. Poignantly, the line-up of performers included young people from Future Talent, the musical education charity founded by the Duchess of Kent, who died earlier this year.

There were Scouts in attendance. 

The Princess spent time with those performing at tonight’s service. Here you see her shaking hands with Jon Cleaves and other members of the Fisherman’s Friends, a Cornish folk music group, who were asked to perform a certain sea shanty this evening. 

This BBC story has more. 

Jon Cleave from the group said they had been asked to sing “a specific song”, which he thought they would “make a good fist” of. He said receiving the royal invitation had been “the icing on the cake for us all, absolutely terrific, we feel very honoured and very excited”.

Mr Cleave said since the group had received the request by phone last week they had been practising the shanty in readiness, but he could not disclose which song it was.

The Princess with Chiwetel Ejiofor, CBE, and Kate Winslet, CBE, both taking part in tonight’s service. He read “A Visit from St Nicholas,” also known as The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore, and Ms. Winslet read an essay she composed herself.

We learn about that reading from The Telegraph’s piece. 

“Love doesn’t always arrive wrapped in ribbons,” she said. “Love can be expressed in how we treat one another, with kindness and grace.

“It’s in the laughter shared across a table, a handheld in comfort, the courage to reach out to someone who might otherwise be alone.

“Christmas is about giving. But maybe we can think about being ‘present’ as our Christmas present to those we love and to those who need to feel comforted and heard.”

Here you see the Princess with British singer Katie Melua (R). The Times reports, “…Katie Melua, the singer who was away from public life for several years due to mental health challenges, performed the song White Christmas…”

The Princess is seen speaking with Steven Frank, a Holocaust survivor whose photo portrait she took, and with whom she has spent time on multiple occasions.

In this photo, she is greeting Dame Mary Berry, who helped with the decorations for the service. (I have included a fun video at the end of the post showing the wreaths being made for tonight’s festivities.)

And with Canadian actor Eugene Levy. 

Details on that conversation come via The Telegraph’s piece. 

Levy said it was “lovely to meet” the Princess, who said to him: “You know my husband very well now.”

The Prince spoke to the Canadian for his The Reluctant Traveller programme earlier this year.

“I had a lovely day with your husband,” Levy told the Princess.

“I hope he looked after you,” the Princess said, to which Levy said:“‘He did look after me, yes, he did.”

While the Princess was connecting with people inside, the arrivals continued outside. Other Royal Family members attending tonight’s performance included the Duchess of Edinburgh.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. 

Prince Michael of Kent, a first cousin of the late Queen.

Zara and Mike Tindall. 

Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman with their daughters Maud and Isabella Windsor.

Lady Helen Taylor, the Duke of Kent’s daughter. 
Embed from Getty Images
The Princess’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

James Middleton and wife Alizée Thevenet.

The Tindalls spoke with Hannah Waddingham, who was scheduled to perform tonight but was unable to because her voice was strained due to a strenuous filming schedule.

Last to arrive were the Prince of Wales and the family’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Another view of the family. 

Here is a video as they arrived.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis arrive @wabbey for the annual Together at Christmas Carol Concert🎄 pic.twitter.com/8Twf3kLUMl

— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) December 5, 2025

If you watched the video, you may have noticed the family visiting the “Connection Tree.” We learn more from the Border Telegraph. 

The smartly dressed trio hung loops of red paper bearing their handwritten names on a “Connection Tree”. It represents togetherness and the importance of moments of connection, and was covered with paper chains created as each guest left a loop with their name.

You can see Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s rings in this photo. 

The Princess and her daughter. 

A wave to some of those gathered outside the Abbey.

The Wales family then headed inside.

And they were led to their seats.

Candles were lit at the beginning of the service. I believe the gentleman behind the Princess is George Gilman, who is married to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester’s daughter, Lady Rose Windsor.

This is the fifth year for the concert, an event spearheaded by the Princess and supported by the Royal Foundation.

More on tonight’s program from The Times. 

During the service, guests were invited to light candles and were given an order of service inscribed with the message: “This service is dedicated to you and the love you have shown”. The back of the booklet featured a quote from William Morris: “Love is enough”.

A lovely shot of the Princess and her youngest child.

Prince William gave a reading from Luke 2:8-16. 

A Kensington Palace news release noted, “The service will also showcase stories of some of the incredible guests in the congregation, who are leading by example and helping to create a more caring and connected society.”

Tonight’s program will air on ITV on Christmas Eve and be repeated on Christmas Day. Below, the Wales family as they left after tonight’s service. 

Here is a 45-second video Kensington Palace posted about the service. 

Together at Christmas 2025 💖🎄🎀

A wonderful evening at Westminster Abbey, welcoming some of the most inspiring people making a difference in the lives of others. pic.twitter.com/ImgAeI3RqN

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 5, 2025

Now, for a brief look at what some of the royals were wearing tonight, beginning with the Duchess of Edinburgh. She wore an Alaïa coat, Gianvito Rossi Piper 85 boots, and carried a Sophie Habsburg clutch. 

Zara Tindall wore Alice and Olivia’s “Theo” Velvet Coat, Aquazzura Forever Marilyn pumps, and carried the “Jamie” clutch by Tyler Ellis.

Carole Middleton appeared to be wearing the Full Length Tartan Coat in Black Watch by House of Bruar with Emmy London’s Josie Pumps and Natasha Clutch.

Alizée Thevenet wore pieces by Sézane, the brand’s Gabriel coat and Ciara Trousers, and she carried the Longchamp 3D S Bag in burgundy.

Thank you to UFO No More, Royal British Fashion, Royal Fashion Daily, Kate Middleton Styled, and Middleton Maven for tonight’s ID information.  

Now, for our look at what Kate wore for this year’s concert. Her bespoke Catherine Walker coat features a double-breasted fit-and-flare silhouette with angled front pockets, a slight flare at the sleeve cuff, and a back vent. The Princess also wore her Faux Fur Lapel Collar in Forest Green by Troy London. 

The coat was first worn for a visit to Ireland in March 2020 and then again in December 2020 for a holiday gathering at Windsor Castle. 

It looked like the Princess debuted a new skirt by Miu Miu, the brand’s Crystal-Embellished Pleated Wool Tartan Midi Skirt. Made in 100% wool, the piece has a high waist with a dropped-waist panel that descends into pleats. The fabric is dotted with clear crystals, and the skirt has a row of black velvet buttons.

The Princess accessorized with her Ralph Lauren Collection black suede boots.

She brought back her Robinson Pelham Tsar Star Studs and Drop Earrings, earrings we first saw worn at the Top Gun: Maverick premiere in May 2022.

VIDEOS: 

ITN’s Royal Family Channel offers more than 5 minutes of coverage in this video. 

 

Kensington Palace shared a fun video with Dame Mary Berry and others making some of the decor seen tonight at Westminster Abbey.