Families celebrate Christmas at royal carol service
Families celebrate Christmas at royal carol service
Sunday, 24th December 2023
The selfless efforts of those who support children and families in communities across the UK were recognised at the Together at Christmas carol service in Westminster Abbey on Friday 8th December.
The service was attended by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, who were joined by HRH Prince George, HRH Princess Charlotte, HRH Prince Louis and other Members of the Royal Family.
About the service
Spearheaded by The Princess and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service was a joyful celebration of Christmas which highlighted the importance of building supportive, nurturing environments for young children and the adults in their lives.
Among the congregation were midwives, health visitors, nursery teachers and community volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year. Also present were children and families who have faced a challenging year, and those who might find the winter period difficult.
The Christmas story
The service was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who welcomed the congregation to the Abbey and also gave a reflection.
There were musical performances by Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert, who sang The Christmas Song; Jacob Collier, who played Last Christmas on a piano once owned by John Lennon; James Bay, who sang White Christmas; and Freya Ridings and the Soul Sanctuary Choir, who performed Merry Christmas Everyone.
The Christmas story was told in readings from Luke 2 given by The Prince of Wales and by Michael Ward. Jim Broadbent read from JRR Tolkien's The Father Christmas Letters, and Leonie Elliot read Growing Tomorrow, a poem by Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho commissioned specially for the service.
The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, conducted by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, and before the service by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist.
Supporting families
Spearheaded by The Princess and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service was a joyful celebration of Christmas which highlighted the importance of building supportive, nurturing environments for young children and the adults in their lives.
Among the congregation were midwives, health visitors, nursery teachers and community volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year. Also present were children and families who have faced a challenging year, and those who might find the winter period difficult.
