‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service Takes Place at Westminster Abbey Celebrating Love, Compassion and Connection

The fifth annual ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service took place on Friday 5th December at Westminster Abbey, attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with other Members of The Royal Family.

The service, spearheaded by The Princess of Wales and supported by The Royal Foundation, brought together over 1,600 people from across the UK to celebrate love in all its forms. The event recognised the many people who volunteer their time for others, lead initiatives that bring people in their community together, or offer a helping hand to those around them.

Combining traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service saw the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir sing some of the nation’s most beloved carols, alongside musical performances from Zac Abel, Dan Smith, Griff, Katie Melua and Cornish folk music group Fisherman’s Friends. Guests also enjoyed a special performance by young performers from Platinum Performing Arts, an organisation based in the heart of the community in Edmonton, North London.

Alongside musical performances, the service featured a number of poignant readings linked to themes of love, compassion and connection. These were delivered by speakers including The Prince of Wales, Kate Winslet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Babatunde Aléshé and Joe Locke, whose piece was accompanied by pianist Paul Gladstone Reid. Alongside this, candles were lit by people Their Royal Highnesses have met in recent years.

To accompany the Order of Service, guests at the Abbey also received a special letter from The Princess of Wales, thanking them for the kindness they have shown and the quiet, constant light they bring to others. In the letter, The Princess reflects on the impact we have on one another and how the Christmas season invites us to remember the power of connection.

Acknowledging nature as a source of connection in our lives, plantsman and horticulturist Jamie Butterworth created a natural, festive environment outside of the Abbey, and The Royal Horticultural Society and florist Simon Lycett donated wreaths that adorned the inside of Westminster Abbey.

In addition to the service at the Abbey, 15 community carol services are taking place across the UK enabling people to come together and celebrate those who go above and beyond in their local area.

In Manchester, the iconic cobbles of ITV’s Coronation Street hosted the service, with cast members giving festive readings in front of an audience of 100 local volunteers, fundraisers and people working to support their local communities. Meanwhile in Armagh, over 250 people celebrated the start of the festive season at a service held in The Cathedral Church of St Patrick.

The Westminster Abbey service will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a special programme airing on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve with a repeat showing on Christmas Day morning.