The close bond between the Princess of Wales and her only daughter was beautifully evident this evening as they attended the annual 'Together at Christmas' carol service at Westminster Abbey. Princess Charlotte, aged ten, arrived to support her mother alongside her father, the Prince of Wales, and her brothers, Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, seven.
A Visible Mother-Daughter Connection
The heartwarming relationship was clear for all to see as Kate and Charlotte's faces lit up with joy upon spotting each other outside the historic London abbey. The mother-of-three, beaming with a wide grin, quickly extended her arm to embrace her delighted daughter. This marked the fifth year of the festive event, which the Princess of Wales has made a cornerstone of her royal work.
As the family walked into the service together, Kate continued to direct loving glances towards Charlotte. Such displays of affection are far from unusual for the pair, who have a history of sharing giggles and cute glances at public engagements, including the Wimbledon tennis championships.
Celebrating Community and Connection
Tonight's service, which will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, brought together 1,600 guests to celebrate 'the power of reaching out'. The Princess personally praised the community stalwarts in attendance, stating in a letter that they make an 'extraordinary difference to the lives of others'.
The event featured a host of celebrities and notable figures. Readings were delivered by Prince William, actress Kate Winslet, and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. Musical performances came from Katie Melua, Fisherman's Friends, and Griff, with appearances from Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham and Bastille's Dan Smith.
Honouring Unsung Heroes
The service specifically recognised individuals from across the UK who have dedicated time to their communities. Among the invited guests was schoolgirl Madison Reed, who raised over £1,360 for the Archie Foundation by Highland dancing in 26 locations across Scotland. Also present was Ann Davies, 80, a volunteer cook for nearly a decade with the Moses Project, a charity supporting men with addictions.
In her letter, Kate reflected on the festive season, writing: 'Christmas is a time that reminds us how deeply our lives are woven together... what we do matters. Our words, our choices, and even the ways we look out for one another – they ripple outward, touching lives we may never see.'
The congregation witnessed several unique elements, including a 'connection tree' for guests to add their names, symbolising togetherness. For the first time, an illustrator was on hand to capture live snapshots of the atmosphere inside the abbey.
This year's theme of love and compassion was echoed in 15 community carol services held simultaneously across the UK, from Armagh to Worcestershire, all sharing the same message of unity and support.
