The Princess of Wales is set to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the late Duchess of Kent during her highly anticipated Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey this December.
A Festive Celebration with Special Meaning
Kate Middleton, 43, is currently preparing for her Together at Christmas service, which returns to Westminster Abbey on Friday, December 5. The event will later be broadcast to the nation on Christmas Eve, marking the concert's fifth anniversary since its inception in 2021.
This year's celebration holds particular significance as it will honour Duchess Katharine, who passed away on September 4, aged 92. The tribute begins even before guests enter the historic abbey, with young performers from Future Talent providing entertainment. The charity was co-founded by the late Duchess to support children from low-income backgrounds.
Honouring a Musical Legacy
Kate's thoughtful gesture recognises Katharine's dedication to music education and her remarkable career working as a music teacher at Wansbeck Primary School in Hull. Despite her royal status, she was known to pupils simply as 'Ms Kent'.
The Duchess was renowned for her eclectic musical tastes, telling The Sunday Telegraph in 2022 that she enjoyed everything from beatboxing to rap, including artists like Ice Cube and Eminem. "I just love music," she said. "Something that catches my ear on the radio – I don't really listen to records. If it makes my feet tap, then I'm happy."
Her musical journey began in childhood when she learned to play the piano, violin and organ, narrowly missing a place at the Royal Academy of Music. She continued pursuing her passion through finishing school in Oxford and dreamed of performing at Carnegie Hall.
After her teaching career, the Duchess established Future Talent in 2004 with the mission to "break down barriers, create opportunities and harness the power of music to transform lives across the UK."
Royal Recognition and Continuing Tradition
Although the Duchess of Kent stepped back from royal duties in 2002, she attended William and Kate's wedding in 2011. Following her death, the Prince and Princess of Wales issued a statement signed 'W & C' expressing their condolences: "Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas. The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family."
This isn't the first time Kate has incorporated thoughtful gestures into her carol concert planning. Last year, she reached out to Lady Gabriella Windsor, who took a major role in planning the service months after her husband Thomas Kingston's tragic death in February.
The annual service typically attracts both working and non-working royals, including Prince William and their three children: George, Charlotte and Louis. While King Charles and Queen Camilla have attended previously, they were absent last year as the Queen recovered from pneumonia.
This year's event will welcome 1,600 invited guests nominated by Lord-Lieutenants and royal family-associated charities. The audience will comprise individuals who have dedicated time to volunteering, started community initiatives, or shown exceptional kindness to others.
Celebrity contributions include readings from Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, alongside musical performances from Hannah Waddingham and Dan Smith from Bastille. The service will be filmed for broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve, with a repeat showing scheduled for Christmas morning.
Kensington Palace stated the event aims to "bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms" and highlight "the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence, and joy."
In addition to the main service, 15 Together at Christmas community carol services will take place nationwide, hosted by Lord-Lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation at locations including the Coronation Street Visitor Centre and a community farm in Gwent.
The Princess of Wales's Together At Christmas carol service represents her return to public duties last year following her cancer diagnosis and continues her commitment to recognising those contributing to a more connected society through acts of love and kindness.
