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Kate joined by children as she hosts carol service Kate joined by children as she hosts carol service
(about 1 hour later)
The Princess of Wales is hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday - the biggest event in her return to royal duties after ending her chemotherapy. The Princess of Wales has hosted her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey - the biggest event in her return to royal duties after ending her chemotherapy.
It is a candle-lit, festive occasion, but also with some poignancy – as it comes at the end of a year of health problems for Catherine and for some of the guests who have faced very difficult times. It was a candle-lit, festive occasion, but also with some poignancy – as it came at the end of a year of health problems for Catherine and for some of the guests who have faced very difficult times.
Among the 1,600 guests are families affected by the Southport knife attack, and a candle will be lit by Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who had a cancer diagnosis. Among the 1,600 guests were families affected by the Southport knife attack, and a candle was lit by Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who had a cancer diagnosis.
Joining Catherine at the service is the Prince of Wales, as well as the couple's three children - Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. The Prince of Wales joined Catherine at the service, along with the couple's three children - Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.
The princess was joined by her husband, the Prince of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince LouisThe princess was joined by her husband, the Prince of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
The Prince of Wales will deliver a Bible reading, and actor Richard E Grant will read a passage from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It was an atmospheric occasion in the medieval Abbey, which was richly decorated in winter colours of red and green, with Christmas trees dotted around the ancient tombs and monuments.
Catherine wore a bright red coat - and when she saw singer Paloma Faith also wearing the same colour, she said: "It's a celebration, everybody's wearing red."
Prince George and Prince Louis were both seen wearing red ties to match their mother's coat.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte shared a sweet moment as they lit their candles together for the servicePrince George and Princess Charlotte shared a sweet moment as they lit their candles together for the service
Prince George and Prince Louis were both seen wearing red ties to match their mother's red coat. The Together at Christmas service was a mix of traditional carols, music and readings, with Catherine looking relaxed and greeting the performers when she arrived at the Abbey.
Performers at the Together at Christmas service include Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, along with guests who have worked hard to help others in their communities. The Prince of Wales delivered a Bible reading, and actor Richard E Grant performed a passage from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
The Princess of Wales appeared to be in high spirits as she hosted her annual carol service There were songs and carols from Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, in an event that will be broadcast by ITV on Christmas Eve.
The Princess of Wales appeared in good spirits as she hosted her carol service
Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra were pictured arriving for the serviceSir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra were pictured arriving for the service
The princess greeted the night's performers, including singers Gregory Porter, Olivia Dean, and Paloma FaithThe princess greeted the night's performers, including singers Gregory Porter, Olivia Dean, and Paloma Faith
They include 18-year-old Olivia Bowditch from Dorset, who volunteers for a charity that sends letters to cancer patients at risk of being lonely and isolated. Many in the congregation had been invited to thank them for their work in helping others in their communities.
Also at the carol service is Diven Halai from London, who has a serious lung condition but ran the London Marathon with an oxygen machine, in a charity fundraiser. They included 18-year-old Olivia Bowditch from Dorset, who volunteers for a charity that sends letters to cancer patients at risk of being lonely and isolated.
Also there was Diven Halai from London, who has a serious lung condition but ran the London Marathon with an oxygen machine, in a charity fundraiser.
Hannah Waddingham also attended the service at Westminster Abbey.Hannah Waddingham also attended the service at Westminster Abbey.
There are five World War Two veterans attending, including Bernard Morgan from Crewe, aged 100, who landed in Normandy on D-Day. There were four World War Two veterans attending, including Bernard Morgan from Crewe, aged 100, who landed in Normandy on D-Day.
He's now an ambassador the Royal British Legion and gives talks to schools about his wartime experiences.
D-Day veteran and Royal British Legion Ambassador Bernard Morgan arrives for the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.D-Day veteran and Royal British Legion Ambassador Bernard Morgan arrives for the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Lord Frederick Windsor, his wife Sophie Winkleman and their two daughters also attended the service. The theme of the service was the importance of kindness and empathy and the congregation heard readings and prayers linking it to the story of Christmas.
Other royal guests included the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Prominently displayed in the nave of the Abbey was a large nativity scene, with figures of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.
A nativity scene at the Together At Christmas carol service
Princess Beatrice of York smiles as she arrives for the annual carol servicePrincess Beatrice of York smiles as she arrives for the annual carol service
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended the service
The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were pictured as they arrived at the serviceThe Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were pictured as they arrived at the service
The Abbey was, decorated with Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park, for the serrvice which emphasised the importance of compassion and kindness. Guests received a letter from Catherine, which said that the Christmas message was about promoting "love, not fear".
Preparations ahead of the Together At Christmas carol service "Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times," the princess wrote, at the end of what has been a difficult year for her and her family.
Guests were handed a letter from Catherine, which said that the Christmas message is about promoting "love, not fear".
"Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times," the princess wrote.
The Order of Service conveyed the same message of empathy, with a specially commissioned illustration by Charlie Mackesy.The Order of Service conveyed the same message of empathy, with a specially commissioned illustration by Charlie Mackesy.
The illustration said: "How did I help?" with the answer: "You were by my side, which was everything". This sentiment expresses the carol concert's message of showing solidarity for those in need.The illustration said: "How did I help?" with the answer: "You were by my side, which was everything". This sentiment expresses the carol concert's message of showing solidarity for those in need.
Prince William has also been helping others this week, with a visit to the Passage homelessness charity in Westminster.Prince William has also been helping others this week, with a visit to the Passage homelessness charity in Westminster.
The prince, who has been associated with the charity since going there first with his mother Diana, helped prepare the Christmas dinner for the charity's clients.The prince, who has been associated with the charity since going there first with his mother Diana, helped prepare the Christmas dinner for the charity's clients.
Leo Scanlon, who was at the dinner, praised the prince for how he talked to people and for the questions he asked: "He clearly has a great understanding of homelessness and the issues around it."Leo Scanlon, who was at the dinner, praised the prince for how he talked to people and for the questions he asked: "He clearly has a great understanding of homelessness and the issues around it."
An illustration by Charlie Mackesy for the carol concert's order of serviceAn illustration by Charlie Mackesy for the carol concert's order of service