While Kate presided over a similar televised concert last year, the 2022 iteration will be particularly poignant given that it will mark the first Christmas since the death of the late Queen. The ITV Press Centre has now released information about the upcoming programme, entitled Royal Carols: Together At Christmas.
The event will be recorded this Thursday, 15 December, as Kate ‘returns to Westminster Abbey to host a special Christmas carol service… to recognise the selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, and highlight the remarkable impact that coming together to support others can have for us all.’ Fellow royals will be out in force, including King Charles, the Queen Consort and Kate’s husband, the Prince of Wales.
Presided over by the princess with the support of The Royal Foundation, the service ‘will recognise the selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, and celebrate and showcase the joy that human connection and togetherness can bring.’ The service will pay touching tribute to the late Queen, ‘dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the values Her Majesty demonstrated throughout her life, including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others.’
There will be a number of ‘inspirational guests’ present for the concert in person, ‘invited to the Abbey in recognition of their tireless work to help and care for those around them.’ The service will bring together ‘traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none,’ and will feature performances of beloved carols (including O Come, All Ye Faithful, as chosen via a public poll) from the acclaimed Westminster Abbey choir. There’ll also be musical performances from major names including Craig David and Melanie C, along with readings from stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Hugh Bonneville and Kadeena Cox, as well as the Prince of Wales.
The congregation will include members of the public nominated from Lieutenancies across the UK, as well as those involved in community networks and charities associated with the Royal Family, plus a number of vulnerable members of the community. A roster of further Together at Christmas community carol services will take place around the UK throughout December, in order to ‘celebrate local heroes’.
Produced by BBC Studios, the recorded version of the event will be broadcast on ITV1 on Christmas Eve, airing at 7pm. The programme will be narrated by Catherine Zeta Jones (currently lighting up Netflix as Morticia Addams in Wednesday) and will feature an introduction from the Princess of Wales and recorded tributes to the late Queen.
