Princess Kate Middleton is set to pay tribute to a recently departed member of the British royal family during her upcoming Christmas carol service, Kensington Palace has announced.
On November 13, the Palace revealed that the Princess of Wales will host the fifth annual “Together at Christmas” Carol Service on Friday, December 5, at Westminster Abbey. This year’s program includes a special homage to Katharine, Duchess of Kent, who passed away in September at age 92.
Katharine, who was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent — a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II — was a former working royal known for her lifelong love of music. She secretly worked as a music teacher for several years and later co-founded Future Talent, a charity dedicated to supporting gifted young musicians from low-income backgrounds across the U.K.
In celebration of her legacy, Princess Kate has invited young performers from Future Talent to provide music for guests as they arrive at Westminster Abbey. The gesture serves as both a tribute to the late Duchess and a platform for rising talent to shine on one of the world’s most high-profile stages.
A Palace statement emphasized that the involvement of Future Talent reflects the Duchess of Kent’s mission to ensure that every child — regardless of background — has the opportunity to pursue excellence in music.
Princess Kate attended Katharine’s funeral on September 16, joining other members of the royal family in honoring her life. The upcoming holiday service is expected to bring the family together once again during the festive season.
This year’s theme, “love in all its forms,” carries a deeply personal resonance for the Princess of Wales, who announced earlier this year that she is in remission following a battle with cancer. The service aims to celebrate compassion, unity, and hope at the close of an emotional year.
The 2025 “Together at Christmas” event will welcome approximately 1,600 guests and will feature appearances by celebrities including Kate Winslet, Hannah Waddingham, Dan Smith, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
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