Catherine's Annual Christmas Musical Celebration Spotlights Community Volunteers

The Princess of Wales is hosting her yearly festive musical service at Westminster Abbey, with a congregation comprising members of the royal family, famous faces, and community champions who have helped their communities.

The large audience will hear a blend of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from performers including award-winning actors.

Focusing on Kindness and Compassion

The theme of the event, held in the glowing Westminster Abbey on Friday afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others.

Attending the event are Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died of a brain tumour, and who established a foundation, a support fund, to help households where there is a terminally ill child.

"The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often without fanfare or recognition, and without any thought of thanks or praise, make an extraordinary difference to the circumstances of individuals," Her Royal Highness stated in a note prior to the festive gathering.

Carefully Paced Reappearance

The princess has been making her own measured re-emergence to the public eye following her health challenges and treatment, in November making her initial major address in two years, in which she talked about recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring".

Music and Opportunity

Attendees entering the Abbey will enjoy performances from young musicians aided by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the Duchess of Kent to increase availability of musical tuition.

Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who performs on the trumpet and is from southwest Wales, has been assisted by the organisation, with grants helping towards musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "amazing" to be playing at the concert.

"Music can be very expensive," she stated. She is now a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "all people deserve the chance" to develop their musical skills.

Generations Gathering

Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who performs on the brass instrument, will also be at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many notable figures," she said.

Among the guests will be representatives of different generations.

That will include Saphia Turner, aged nine, winner of a prize for youthful altruism, who produces drawings and undertakes charity feats to raise money for local food charities.

Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts

The Abbey has been adorned with specially made wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett assisting in their creation.

Taking to the stage will be recording artist Katie Melua, the Westminster Abbey choristers and a Cornish sea shanty group, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "a dream come true."

The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be aired by television on December 24th.