The Princess of Wales has sent a Christmas message to guests attending her carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Friday about the importance of acts of kindness at a time that may seem “fractured or uncertain” in a letter to guests attending her carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Friday.
Katherine writes, “The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without expectation or recognition, makes an extraordinary difference to the lives of others.”
In addition to members of the royal family, the 1,600 guests will include volunteers and people who have helped local communities.
Traditional Christmas carols will be sung in the specially decorated abbey, with text and music from artists including Hannah Waddingham and Kate Winslet.
In her letter to guests, Katherine wrote, “At its core, Christmas is about love taken in the simplest, most human ways.”
“Not in sentimental or grand gestures, but in gentle gestures. A moment of listening, a word of consolation, a friendly conversation, a helping hand, presence.”
Last month she gave her first public speech in two years, as she slowly recovers following a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy.
While guests wait to go inside Westminster Abbey, they will hear music from young people supported by the Future Talent charity, which was founded by the late Duchess of Kent, who died this autumn.
The Duchess, who taught music at a state primary school, wanted to provide wider access to music education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Among the guests will be Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, whose daughter died from a brain tumor, and who set up a charity, Kayleigh We Stars, to help families where a child has a terminal illness.
Nine-year-old Safiya Turner, winner of the BBC’s Make a Difference Young Hero Award, who sells artwork and runs sponsored challenges to raise money for food banks, will also be taking part.
Katherine writes, “As the year comes to a close, I hope this season brings you moments of peace and clarity, and that you, too, feel surrounded by the same love and care you give so freely.”
Earlier on Tuesday, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee published information about royal leases, including Prince William and Catherine’s new home, Forest Lodge at Windsor.
This revealed that they had a 20-year lease with the Crown Estate, with the couple paying market rent determined by independent valuers.
The public spending watchdog will investigate the Crown Estate and royal property next year in the wake of questions over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s handling of the Royal Lodge.
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