Small acts of kindness can bring comfort and relief in the bleakest of times, the Duchess of Cambridge has said, and ‘made us realise how much we need each other’ during the pandemic.
Kate’s message of hope comes in a special introduction to her Royal Carols: Together At Christmas one-hour television special which will be broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve at 7.30pm.
New images show her at Westminster Abbey the day before the filming of her carol service, decorating trees sent by the Queen from her Windsor Great Park estate with red ribbon bows.
In the photographs, the mother-of-three, 39, sports a festive red £1,350 cardigan with a white collar from her favourite brand Miu Miu, teamed with black trousers, while opting for a natural make-up look.
Kate created the event – it was a family affair, with many members of the royal families attending. It is a way to express gratitude to those who went above and beyond for the people affected by the pandemic and to celebrate small acts of kindness which have been witnessed across the country over the past two years.
It has been developed with BBC Studios Events Productions but will be broadcast on ITV. In the aftermath of the Two-Part Series The Princes and the Press (which was criticised by the Queen and Prince Charles), Prince William and Kate dropped the BBC from their Christmas Special. credibility for ‘overblown, unfounded claims’ regarding the Royal Family
Kate, pictured at Westminster Abbey on the day of filming her carol service. She decorated trees from Windsor Great Park with ribbon bows and was greeted by her family.
In the photographs, the mother-of-three (pictured), 39, sports a festive red £1,350 cardigan with a white collar from her favourite brand Miu Miu, teamed with black trousers, while opting for a natural make-up look
Kate’s Christmas Service was taped for Royal Carols: Together At Christmas. It is a special one-hour television program that will air on ITV at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve. Pictured, the Duchess of Cambridge (left) and Abbey Marshal Leticia Cachoeira Edwards, decorating a Christmas tree at Westminster Abbey
In her recorded introduction message the Duchess reveals she chose Westminster Abbey for the service because ‘it’s a place that’s really special to William and me’. In 2011, the couple were married at Westminster Abbey.
Kate and Prince William, both 39, were joined at the service by a host of royal family members, including the Countess of Wessex, 55, Princess Beatrice, 33, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie, 31, and Zara and Mike Tindall.
Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton were both present as was Pippa and her siblings James, along with their parents and grandparents.
In her introduction, Kate says: ‘We wanted to say a huge thank you to all those amazing people out there who have supported their communities. It was also important to acknowledge those whose difficulties may not be as well-known.
‘We have been through such a bleak time. We’ve seen so many challenges. We’ve lost our loved ones. We’ve seen our frontline workers under immense pressure. And also we’ve been more emotionally and socially distanced and isolated from each other.
‘But I suppose through that separation, we’ve also realised how much we need each other and how acts of kindness and love can really bring us comfort and relief in times of distress.
They are all about being part of the fun. The royals can be seen carolling at Westminster Abbey’s carol service this month. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge
Photographs taken at Royal Carols Together at Christmas captured the royals seeming to concentrate as they sing along with festive songs.
The Countess and Princess of Wessex were joined by many royal family members including Prince Beatrice (33) and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (2pictured), Princess Eugenie (31), Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall.
The Together At Christmas carol service was attended by ‘unsung heroes’ from across the UK in recognition of their ‘inspirational’ efforts to protect and care for those around them.
The nominees came from local networks of Lieutenancies, charities, and patronages of Her Majesty The King, The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess spent some time with individuals during recent engagements.
‘We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for all they’ve done in bringing people together and supporting their communities,’ Kate added.
While stepping out to the London carol service, the Duchess (pictured middle) looked elegant.
This service, (pictured), celebrates the “incredible work” of pandemic heroes such as teachers and charity workers.
Kate’s coat dress (pictured right), thought to be worth around £3,000, is a new ensemble for the Duchess, who previously wore a black version of the garment to attend Prince Philip’s funeral in April
Meanwhile the royal (pictured right) added a touch of glamour to her outfit with the Queen Mother’s sapphire and diamond fringe earrings, and recycled her £640 red suede bag by Miu Miu for the occasion, first worn in September 2016
Introducing star performers including Ellie Goulding, Leona Lewis, Tom Walker and the Westminster Abbey choir, Kate added that music had been ‘so important to me during the pandemic as I think it was to so many people too’.
‘But above all it’s about celebrating the goodwill, the acts of kindness, love, empathy, and compassion to help people come through these difficult times,’ she added.
The service will also include readings from The Duke of Cambridge and British Paralympian, junior doctor Kim Daybell, actor Tom Felton and presenter Kate Garraway. There will also be a performance by To The Day by Lemn Sissay (poet and writer).
The message of the Duchess was captured on December 7, during the visit to the abbey. The purpose of the visit was to assist with Christmas preparations. This included decorating Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park donated by Her Majesty the Queen and placing wreaths donated to us by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Together At Christmas was created and presented in collaboration with Westminster Abbey, BBC Studios Events Productions. It will air on Christmas Eve at 7.30pm on ITV