Royal family recap: Princess Kate and family attend carol concert, Meghan reaches out to estranged father
All the latest royal news on 5 December, including the Princess of Wales’ Christmas carol service featuring a poignant nod to the late Duchess of Kent
A very modern service
HELLO!’s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, has been mulling over what felt so special about the 2025 edition of the carol concert, and how it reflects the Prince and Princess of Wales’ “fresh” take on the monarchy.
She writes: “There were plenty of modern twists on this very traditional service too, which gives you an insight into the way that William and Kate approach their roles – they care about the importance of tradition but want to bring in fresh elements which will resonate with a wider audience.
“Fittingly for the future head of the Church of England, the Prince gave a Bible reading about the birth of Christ. But it followed non-religious readings and reflections.
“Alongside the soaring organ music and angelic voices of choristers, pop singers including the Bastille frontman Dan Smith and Griff sang, and young dancers from Platinum Perfomers, a performing arts group based in Edmonton, north London, weaved their way down the aisle. Their smiles were so infectious they were given a spontaneous round of applause.”
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
The Princess of Wales is embracing modern ways while celebrating the old traditions
Princess Kate’s former colleague shares inside look
The Princess of Wales’ former stylist, Natasha Archer, was among the 1,600 guests at Westminster Abbey. The fashion expert took to social media to share a behind-the-scenes look at the festivities. Natasha was an invaluable member of the royal household for 15 years, but confirmed she was departing her post earlier this year.
Princess Eugenie and Beatrice break silence
Princess Eugenie sadly missed the Princess of Wales’ annual Together for Christmas carol concert. Following the event, the youngest daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson spoke out on Instagram, co-penning the message on behalf of her sister Princess Beatrice, who has no public-facing social media accounts.
On her Instagram, she wrote: “Wish Bea and I could have been celebrating tonight with our family. Wishing @princeandprincessofwales such a special evening at her incredible carol service. What an amazing message of hope.”
© PA Images via Getty Images
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were not in attendance
Kate Winslet’s personal reading
Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet delivered a poignant, personally-penned reading at The Princess of Wales’ carol service, written specifically at the request of the royal’s staff to reflect the event’s theme of ‘Love’.
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Joe Locke, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kate Winslet attend the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service
Kate’s reading in full
“At this special time of year, we’re reminded that love takes many forms — in families, in friendship, in the simple act of being there for one another. Those connections — with neighbours, friends, and even strangers — lift our communities and make others feel like they belong. We all deserve to belong. Especially now, when so many are in need of kindness and understanding, a kind word or a shared meal — can mean more than we’ll ever know.
“Love doesn’t always arrive wrapped in ribbons. Love can be expressed in how we treat one another, with kindness and grace. It’s in the laughter shared across a table, a handheld in comfort, the courage to reach out to someone who might otherwise be alone. Christmas is about giving. But maybe we can think about being ‘present’ as our Christmas present to those we love and to those who need to feel comforted and heard.
“We can choose to show up for others. And when we choose to connect, to show that we care, we become part of something so much greater than ourselves. Perhaps we can use our hearts and minds to see more clearly at Christmas: a reminder that even in the coldest season, when the days feel shorter and the nights are darker, the love that we show to others can light up the world around us, and give warmth to the coldest corners of the world.
“Bring joy, where you can. It’s sometimes as simple as offering a smile, a hug, and kind word. I’d like to use the words of Henry Drummond, from his book The Greatest Thing in the World: “You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.”
Best photos of the Wales children
The Wales children walked over to the Connection Tree, where guests had been invited to add their own named loop onto a paper chain adorning the tree, symbolising the power of togetherness and the importance of moments of connection with one another.
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The children headed straight over to the Connection Tree
© Victoria Jones/Shutterstock
Doting dad Prince William ushered his family inside
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Pala
The Wales family inside Westminster Abbey
No show for King Charles
While we were hoping to see King Charles and Queen Camilla make an appearance tonight, the monarch doesn’t typically attend. The monarch and his wife have only attended the event once in the five years since its inception, back in 2022.
Sweet update
The Princess of Wales took to X to pen a personal message after the concert concluded. How adorable is this photograph of little Louis smiling?
Kate catches up with Eugene Levy
The moment Princess Kate came face-to-face with actor Eugene Levy was caught on camera inside the service. The Schitt’s Creek star memorably invited Prince William to take part in his Apple+ show, The Reluctant Traveler – and the pair shared a surprisingly candid conversation.
“I had a lovely day with your husband,” he told her. “I hope he looked after you,” the princess said. Check out the full conversation in the intimate video below…
Emily’s insights
Our Royal Editor, Emily Nash, was lucky enough to be among the 1,600 guests attending the Together at Christmas service. She tells us her thoughts, live from Westminster Abbey.
“Over five years now, the Princess has pulled off a wonderful festive treat for her guests and somehow this one felt more personal than ever…
“Every detail of this now annual event had been thoughtfully planned and executed to perfection – from the magical wonderland-style naturescape at the entrance, consisting of woodland trees interwoven with Christmas trees and decorated with fruits and berries, to the coloured paper strips on which we wrote our names, to be added to a paper chain decorating a ‘Connection Tree’.”
© Emily Nash
Look of love
How lovely is this photograph of Princess Charlotte stealing a look at her big brother George? 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.
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Princess Charlotte steals a glimpse at Prince Louis
Duchess of Edinburgh puts in an appearance
Fresh from her royal engagement earlier in the day, Duchess Sophie underwent a quick change and rushed over to Westminster Abbey to show her support for the Princess of Wales. Looking lovely in a burgundy coat layered over a vibrant patterned dress, the royal attended solo without her husband, Prince Edward.
© POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Duchess of Edinburgh steps out in style
Emotional evening
Lady Helen Taylor, the daughter of the Duchess of Kent who was by her side until the end, was in attendance. The ceremony will have been extra emotional for the family of the late royal.
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Lady Helen Taylor arriving at Westminster Abbey
The Middletons support Kate
It was no surprise to see Carole and Michael Middleton showing their support for their daughter at her 2025 carol concert. The family makes a tradition of attending the celebration, and this year, brother James Middleton and his wife Alizee Thevenet were the guests of honour.
© Victoria Jones/Shutterstock
The Middleton family arriving at Westminster Abbey
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis steal the show
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have arrived, looking like the perfect little helpers. The youngsters were ushered into Westminster Abbey alongside their parents. Check out the moment in the video below.
Mike and Zara are in the building!
Zara and Mike Tindall were spotted chatting with Hannah Waddingham, who sadly had to pull out of her performance at the carol concert due to her demanding work schedule.
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Mike Tindall, Hannah Waddingham and Zara Tindall all chat
Prince Michael of Kent’s arrival
Prince Michael of Kent has arrived at the concert. This will be an emotional occasion for him and his family, being the first concert since it’s the first year the family as it’s the first concert following the death of the Duchess of Kent.
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Prince Michael of Kent seen arriving at the Together at Christmas Carol Service
Kate’s festive look
Kate never fails to look wonderfully festive for her annual concert. This year, she chose to wear an almost full-length coat, designed by, arguably, her favourite fashion designer, Cathrine Walker, to which she added a fur stole by Troy London. The future Queen, 43, also added diamond, shoulder-grazing drop earrings. It appeared that Kate also chose to rock a tartan skirt underneath her stylish coat.
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Kate looked festive in green
