The Princess of Wales presided over a heartfelt and star-studded carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday 5 December 2025, using the annual event to shine a spotlight on the nation's unsung volunteers.
A Royal Gathering for a Community Cause
Kate Middleton arrived at the Abbey ahead of her family to personally greet the performers and readers for the Together at Christmas service. She met Hollywood A-listers including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, as well as singer Katie Melua and Bastille frontman Dan Smith.
She told Smith her children were eagerly anticipating the event, noting "They're really excited, it's become such a tradition." The service, now in its fifth year, welcomed around 1,600 guests into the historic church where William and Kate married in 2011.
The Connection Tree and Celebrating Love
Upon their arrival, the Prince and Princess of Wales were joined by their children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven—at a symbolic 'Connection Tree' by the Abbey's great west door. The family added loops of red paper bearing their handwritten names to the tree, which was covered in similar paper chains from guests.
The tree represented the event's core theme of togetherness and the importance of connection, celebrating love in all its forms. The royal children were later pictured holding candles alongside congregation members during the moving service.
Honouring Britain's Community Champions
The true focus of the evening was on recognising individuals from across the UK who dedicate their time to others. The congregation was filled with community stalwarts, volunteers, and representatives from various charitable initiatives.
Among them was Ann Davies, 81, a volunteer cook for nearly a decade with the Moses Project, a charity supporting men with addictions. From Teesside, she also volunteers at Middlesbrough police station. "The thing about volunteer work is you do it without expecting anything in return, you do it because you love it," she said.
The guest list also featured celebrity chef Dame Mary Berry, members of the Lionesses and Red Roses sports teams, and performers like the Fisherman's Friends band. Band member Jeremy Brown, a lobster fisherman, praised the Princess: "She does fantastic work for all these people... If we can make somebody smile, we're happy to do that."
The royal family was supported by close relatives including Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton, her brother James and his wife, Zara and Mike Tindall, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Prince Michael of Kent.
The evening blended festive celebration with sincere gratitude, firmly placing the nation's volunteers at the heart of a traditional royal Christmas event.
