The Princess of Wales greeted guests, cracked jokes with celebrities and welcomed members of the Royal Family as her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey got underway this evening.
Kate's Together at Christmas service in London, now in its fifth year, features a host of celebrities from Kate Winslet to Katie Melua.
The princess and Prince William's children - Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven - were also in attendance, as they were last year.
It is the first time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King’s birthday parade, in June.
The three siblings arrived with their father and added red ribbons to a tree at the front of the abbey. Kate greeted them warmly, putting her hands on their shoulders as they walked in.
Both boys looked smart in suits with their hair neatly combed to one side, while the princess wore a black velvet dress with a white collar and a black bow in her hair.
The hour-long service, which began at 5pm, celebrates 'the power of reaching out' - but singer Hannah Waddingham pulled out at the last minute because of issues with her voice.
William, Winslet and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor will all give readings during the event which will recognise community stalwarts and honour 'love in all its forms'.
Celebrity chef Dame Mary Berry, who has created a Christmas wreath on display in the abbey, is also among the guests alongside leading sportswomen.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte take part in the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Prince Louis appears overjoyed as he takes part in the Together At Christmas carol service with his mother the Princess of Wales
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte take part in the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London today
The Princess of Wales helps her son Prince Louis as he holds a candle during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Members of the Royal Family watch on during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
The Prince of Wales gives a reading during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales beams as she watches on with her children Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales welcomes Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the service today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales welcomes Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the service today
The Princess of Wales meets guests before her carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales welcomes Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the service today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales welcomes Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the service today
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, place red ribbons to a tree at the front of the abbey
Paper chain garlands signed by Princess Charlotte and Prince George on a Christmas tree outside Westminster Abbey
Prince Louis also signed one of the red ribbons which was attached to the tree
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte greet members of the Church as they arrive for the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
The princess arrived shortly after 4pm ahead of her family for last-minute checks and to meet some of the guests, followed by Winslet - festive in red - and Ejiofor.
Wearing a festive dark green coat dress and knee high black boots, she met the Dean of Westminster outside the Abbey before heading inside to meet performers and volunteers ahead of the service.
In the undercroft, one of the oldest parts of the Abbey, Catherine repeatedly thanked singers Kate Melua, Dan Smith, Griff and Fisherman’s Friends for taking time out of their busy schedules to perform tonight.
Griff told her she was nervous about singing inside the Abbey due to the acoustics, but Catherine reassured her and said: 'I am sure you will be brilliant.' She told Fisherman’s Friends: 'Thank you so much for coming.'
Thanking Ejiofor for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend this evening, he told her that he’s currently 'nesting' as he and his partner are expecting a child in January.
Outside the abbey, the area had been transformed into a winter wonderland, while trees inside were decorated with fairy lights and poinsettias.
The Daily Mail understands that while Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were invited to attend the event, both were unable to join other family members. It is believed they were touched at the invitation but had previous commitments.
Ted Lasso actress Waddingham was due to sing the much-loved carol In The Bleak Midwinter - but minutes before guests arrived, it was revealed she would not perform as 'her singing voice has been compromised from an exhausting filming schedule'.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis depart from the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Kate and William depart Westminster Abbey with their three children after the Together At Christmas carol service
Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall depart from the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Alizee Thevenet and James Middleton depart from the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Princess Charlotte and the Princess of Wales depart following the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Prince George and the Prince and Princess of Wales enter a car after departing the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh beams as she departs from the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall depart from the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
The Prince and Princess of Wales leave with their children, Princess Charlotte, Prince George (obscured) and Prince Louis, following the Together At Christmas carol service
Catherine spoke to the rest of the acts before moving into the Abbey to greet some of the congregation, including Holocaust survivor Steven Frank, who was photographed by the Princess in 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.
She walked over to him and hugged him affectionately before chatting to his family. His daughter told her it was such an honour for them to be invited.
She spent 20 minutes meeting members of the congregation, including Professor Green and his young son, Dame Mary Berry and previous WellChild winners, a charity Prince Harry is patron of.
She also spotted Canadian actor Eugene Levy in the audience, who stood up to greet her. The Schitt’s Creek star featured William in the new series of his travel show, the Reluctant Traveler, earlier this year.
While the princess greeted guests, other members of the Royal Family arrived.
Mike and Zara Tindall stopped to chat to Levy and Waddingham as they made their way to their seats.
Catherine’s own family, including her parents Michael and Carole Middleton, and brother, James, were among the last to arrive and walked into the Abbey just as she started to make her way outside.
The Princess of Wales speaks with Eugene Levy at the Together At Christmas service today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton attend the Together at Christmas service today
Katie Melua speaks with Kate at Westminster Abbey as Dan Smith from Bastille waits his turn
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales welcomes Prince William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as they arrive at Westminster Abbey to attend the service today
James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet attend the Together At Christmas service today
Mike Tindall, Hannah Waddingham and Zara Tindall attend the carol service this evening
The Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey with her daughter Princess Charlotte
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh arrives for the Together at Christmas carol service today
(From left) Joe Locke, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet arrive for Together at Christmas today
Hannah Waddingham arrives for the carol service today after pulling out of performing in it
Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman with their daughters Maud and Isabella today
Marvin and Rochelle Humes with their children Alaia-Mai, Valentina Raine and Blake today
Dame Mary Berry arrives for the Together at Christmas carol service this evening
Katie Melua attends the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Tom Allen arrives for the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Kate Winslet speaks with the Princess of Wales at the Together at Christmas service today
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arrive for the Together at Christmas service today
Annabel Bosher and Dame Mary Berry speak with the Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service on Friday
Mike and Zara Tindall arrive for the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Prince Michael of Kent attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
The singer Zak Abel will now perform another carol - Silent Night - in her place, although this will not be reflected in the order of service due to the late change.
Waddingham will still be in the congregation for the service which will recognise individuals from across the UK who may have dedicated or volunteered their time to be present with others, led initiatives that bring people in their community together, or offered a helping hand to those around them.
Among those invited is schoolgirl Madison Reed, who last year raised more than £1,360 for the Archie Foundation by Highland dancing in 26 locations across Scotland, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet.
She raised the funds for the charity, which supports sick children receiving medical care in north-east Scotland, along with their families.
In a letter that will be available to all guests, the princess has praised community stalwarts invited to the service, telling them they are making an 'extraordinary difference to the lives of others'.
She also extols the virtues of the Christmas period that reminds us 'how deeply our lives are woven together', adding that despite life feeling 'fragmented or uncertain' at times, the festive season 'invites us to remember the power of reaching out to one another'.
In her letter, Kate says: 'This carol service offers a moment of collective togetherness, a chance to celebrate the spirit of community and service, and to honour the visible and invisible bonds that unite us all.
'The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others.'
The Princess of Wales speaks with guests at the Together at Christmas service today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales speaks with guests at the Together at Christmas service today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales speaks with Eugene Levy at the Together At Christmas service today
Jon Cleave speaks with the Princess of Wales at the Together at Christmas carol service
The Princess of Wales meets guests before her carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh arrives for the Together at Christmas carol service today
The Princess of Wales meets guests before her carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Another selfless worker who will join the guests is Ann Davies, a volunteer cook for almost a decade with the Moses Project, a charity providing mentoring and support for men with past and current addictions to drugs and alcohol.
The 80-year-old also volunteers as a responsible adult at Middlesbrough police station, supporting vulnerable people who have been arrested.
Kate also says in her letter: 'Christmas is a time that reminds us how deeply our lives are woven together. Just as the roots of trees share strength beneath the soil, unseen but vital, so too do we.
'We are drawn by an instinctive pull towards belonging and connection. Even with all the rushing around and familiar traditions, there is a quieter sense of what it calls out in us.
'There is a softness to the season that reminds us of something easy to forget; that 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.'
During the event readings linked to the theme of love, compassion and connection will be delivered by Winslet and Ejiofor, comic Babatunde Aleshe and rising actor Joe Locke, with the speakers accompanied by pianist Paul Gladstone Reid.
Among the other guests will be members of England women's rugby World Cup winning squad - Rosie Galligan, Helena Rowland, Jess Breach and Marlie Packer, a number of the Wales women's rugby team, including captain Alex Callender and Lioness Michelle Agyemang, a member of England Women's Euro 2025 winners.
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Griff speaks with the Princess of Wales at the Together at Christmas service today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales speaks with singer Katie Melua at Westminster Abbey today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Dan Smith from pop rock band Bastille speaks with the Princess of Wales at the service today
The Princess of Wales arrives for her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Zara Tindall arrives for the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Mike Tindall, Hannah Waddingham and Zara Tindall attend the carol service this evening
Actor Eugene Levy arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend the Together At Christmas service
Lady Davina Windsor, Senna Kowhai Lewis and Tane Mahuta Lewis attend the Together At Christmas carol service today
Kate's mother Carole Middleton attends the Together at Christmas service today
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody, who recently announced he has motor neurone disease, has been invited, as has Holocaust survivor Frank.
The nation's Second World War veterans are expected to be represented by Jack Mortimer, a corporal with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps who landed on Sword Beach on D-Day and John Eskdale, who saw combat with the Malta Convoys in 1942 and was involved in the invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943.
Ambassadors and friends of the Royal Horticultural Society, gardener Arit Anderson, florist Simon Lycett and TV presenters Angelica Bell and Allen, who all helped make wreaths on display in the abbey with school children, will also be among the guests.
Guests will see candles lit by people William and Kate have met in recent years and others taking part in the service which will also showcase the stories of some of those invited, who are helping to create a more caring and connected society.
They will be greeted by a festive display created by horticulturist Jamie Butterworth based on the importance of nature in our lives while the Royal Horticultural Society is set to donate wreaths made by their ambassadors, including Dame Mary, and schoolchildren.
The congregation will be able to add their names to a 'connection tree' symbolising the power of togetherness and the importance of moments of connection with one another.
The late Duchess of Kent's charity Future Talent, which she co-founded to support musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds, will also feature during the service with a brass ensemble of eight teenagers playing as guests arrive.
And for the first time an illustrator will be sketching snapshots of the atmosphere inside the abbey, to capture moments as they happen.
Among the other guests invited were Anna and Jonathan Cordiner from Aberdeenshire who tragically lost their two-year-old daughter Kayleigh, to a terminal brain tumour in 2012.
Prince Michael of Kent attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Hannah Waddingham arrives for the carol service today after pulling out of performing in it
Hannah Waddingham arrives for the carol service today after pulling out of performing in it
Mike Tindall, Hannah Waddingham and Zara Tindall attend the carol service this evening
Marvin and Rochelle Humes with their children Alaia-Mai, Valentina Raine and Blake today
(From left) Joe Locke, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet arrive for Together at Christmas today
Kate Winslet attends the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet arrive for Together at Christmas today
Prince Michael of Kent attends the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor at the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
Actor Eugene Levy arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend the Together At Christmas service
Dame Mary Berry (left) arrives for the Together at Christmas carol service this evening
Dame Mary Berry (in black) arrives for the Together at Christmas carol service this evening
Katie Melua attends the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
The couple made it their mission to do everything they could to make her last few months as precious and comfortable as possible, creating happy memories together.
Following her death six months later they established the charity Kayleigh's Wee Stars to provide financial support for families where a child has a terminal illness.
The charity aims to remove the financial burden from parents so they can spend meaningful time with their child when it matters most. It is funded through their own events and through people choosing to fundraise in various ways — including sporting events, workplace or school-based challenges, and memorial collections.
To date, over 700 families have been supported and more than £1million has been awarded in grants.
Mrs Cordiner, 44, said: 'We got a lovely surprise. We got an email from the Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeen. Just basically saying, we would love for you to represent us and go down to London for the service.'
Her 42-year-old husband continued: 'We lost Kayleigh in 2012. We like talking about it. That's one of our favourite topics of conversation, actually, is to get to talk about her. So we had Kayleigh for two incredible years.
'She was our firstborn, and, I mean, we were in our mid 20s, we were relatively young when we had Kayleigh, and she was the first... First grandchild, first niece. She just completely changed our lives. She started getting poorly at 18 months when she felt poorly.
'She started to wobble on her feet, and we were kind of in and out of the doctors. They investigated balance, ears. And then, just leading up to Christmas. She started to be sick. And we thought, "Is it a bug?"
'On Boxing Day she was particularly unwell. We were at my Mum and Dad's, and we just went straight into hospital with her. And we didn't come home till the end of January.
'They anticipated that she would have had three months to live. Kayleigh lived for six months, and what was really quite special about that time is that she was quite well. So we had the opportunity to go and have the most incredible time.
'Both of us were teachers at the time. So, we had our employers give us the time off that we needed, to just go and make that the most of Kayleigh's life. We made so many lovely memories.
'It was during that time that we kind of met lots of families and facing similar challenges. They maybe weren't as quite as fortunate as us, maybe didn't have the employers or the support networks, right, about them and family. And that was where the charity was born. It was really just a desire to support families in the same situation. We want to help families spend time together when it matters and make those memories that we got.
'We are quite unique in what we do. There's lots of different charities that provide different kinds of support for families at that time, but nobody doing what we were doing, which was basically... Financial support.
Final preparations at Westminster Abbey today before the Together At Christmas carol service
The nativity scene at Westminster Abbey today ahead of the Together At Christmas service
Final preparations at Westminster Abbey today before the Together At Christmas carol service
A woman makes final preparations to a Christmas tree at Westminster Abbey in London today
Final preparations at Westminster Abbey today before the Together At Christmas carol service
The order of service for the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey today
A Christmas tree at Westminster Abbey before the Together At Christmas carol service today
Musicians practise at Westminster Abbey ahead of the Together At Christmas carol service
A woman makes final preparations to a Christmas tree at Westminster Abbey in London today
Final preparations are made to Christmas trees outside Westminster Abbey in London today
Final preparations at Westminster Abbey today before the Together At Christmas carol service
The exterior of Westminster Abbey today before the Together At Christmas carol service
Christmas decorations at Westminster Abbey before the Together At Christmas carol service
Final preparations are made to Christmas trees outside Westminster Abbey in London today
Final preparations at Westminster Abbey today before the Together At Christmas carol service
Final preparations are made to Christmas trees outside Westminster Abbey in London today
Christmas decorations at Westminster Abbey before the Together At Christmas carol service
Workers prepare the scene outside Westminster Abbey today before the service begins
The nativity scene at Westminster Abbey today ahead of the Together At Christmas service
Kate wrote this open letter to guests attending this year's Together At Christmas service
'Perhaps a family needs a special trip, to relieve financial pressure, pay the mortgage, cover the fact that parents aren't working, because they're self employed. What people might not consider as the fact that it's actually a really expensive time for a family.
'Going through all of that, travelling, doing everything... So we were determined that families weren't going have to think about money at such impossible times.
Mrs Cordiner continued: 'I think our invitation today is an acknowledgment of what the wider community has achieved in Kayleigh's name.
'It's an important acknowledgement of all of the work that goes on behind the scenes with volunteers and fundraisers and local businesses. That's where the strength of the charity is. The community.
'This is an incredible opportunity to bring people together. I love any kind of cause where people are brought together and that's what this is. There's the most amazing people here today doing incredible things I've just never heard of. It's very humbling. I feel very privileged to be part of it.'
The power of love theme was picked because in a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, the service will bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms, organisers say.
Some 15 community carol services, held in places including the Coronation Street Visitor Centre, an arts centre in Newbury and a community farm in Gwent, are also set to take place across the UK with the same love and togetherness theme and those guests will also receive Kate's letter.
The full list of locations for the community services is Armagh, Berkshire, Derbyshire, Dumfries, Dyfed, East Riding, Gwent, Greater Manchester, Isle of Wight, Lanarkshire, Nottinghamshire, Renfrewshire & Ayrshire, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
These services are to be hosted by lord-lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation.
The service will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Day.
