Aisha Tukur
The Princess of Wales has hosted her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey – the biggest event in her return to royal duties after ending her chemotherapy.
It was a candle-lit, festive occasion, but also with some poignancy – as it came at the end of a year of health problems for Catherine and for some of the guests who have faced very difficult times.
Among the 1,600 guests were families affected by the Southport knife attack, and a candle was lit by Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who had a cancer diagnosis.
The Prince of Wales joined Catherine at the service, along with the couple’s three children – Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.
It was an atmospheric occasion in the medieval Abbey, which was richly decorated in winter colours of red and green, with Christmas trees dotted around the ancient tombs and monuments.
“I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had… But lots of people have had challenging times,” Catherine said to singer Paloma Faith.
Catherine wore a bright red coat – and when she saw the singer also wearing the same colour, she said: “It’s a celebration, everybody’s wearing red.”
Prince George and Prince Louis were both seen wearing red ties to match their mother’s coat.
The Together at Christmas service was a mix of traditional carols, music and readings, with Catherine looking relaxed and greeting the performers when she arrived at the Abbey.
The Prince of Wales read a lesson from the Bible, and actor Richard E Grant performed a passage from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
There were songs and carols from Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, in an event that will be broadcast by ITV on Christmas Eve.
Catherine spoke to singer Olivia Dean about her own memories and emotional associations with the Abbey, including being married there.
