The Princess of Wales paid tribute to the late Queen by dedicating her Christmas carol service to her, honoring her “incredible legacy” that “deeply inspired many of us.”
The festive concert’s special pre-recorded introduction, Royal Carols: Together Princess Catherine expressed her “thrill” at returning to the abbey for a second year at Christmas.
Before the service earlier this month at Westminster Abbey, she declared, “This Christmas will be our first without Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.” “Her Majesty loved Christmas because it brought people together and served as a reminder of the value of friendship, family, and faith as well as the need to practice empathy and compassion.
“We’ve extended invitations to the service to hundreds of motivating people this year. Those who demonstrate the strength of community and connection, enabling us to uphold Her Majesty’s tradition of honoring and expressing gratitude to those who go above and beyond to help others.
“Her Majesty leaves us with a truly amazing legacy that has profoundly inspired many of us.”
The service was organized by Catherine with funding from The Royal Foundation and was dedicated to the Queen and “all those who are sadly no longer with us.”
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She added: “So, whilst Christmas will feel very different this year, we can still remember the memories and traditions we shared. Take time to slow down and celebrate with family and friends all the wonderful things that make Christmas so special.”
The service, which was recorded and will be broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve, took place on December 15 just hours after the final part of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix documentary.
Many members of the extended royal family, including the King and Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, joined Catherine. The Westminster Abbey choir, Craig David, and Alfie Boe and Melanie C all gave performances, and William and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas read alouds.
Small Paddington Bear ornaments were placed on a Christmas tree in the abbey as a tribute to the late Queen’s well-known cartoon, and guests were welcomed with atmospheric snowflakes from a snow machine as they entered.
On Christmas Eve at 7 p.m., ITV1 will air the documentary Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, which is narrated by Catherine Zeta-Jones.
