The Princess of Wales is set to host her fifth annual Together at Christmas carol service, bringing a celebration of community and connection to Westminster Abbey. The 2025 event, built around the theme “love in all its forms,” will gather 1,600 guests to honor volunteers and community heroes from across the UK.
The service will feature a notable lineup of celebrity readers and performers, including Kate Winslet, Hannah Waddingham, and Dan Smith of Bastille. This festive tradition, spearheaded by Princess Kate, continues to be a cornerstone of the royal holiday calendar, recognizing people who demonstrate exceptional kindness and contribute to their communities.
Event Date and Broadcast Details
The Together at Christmas carol service will be held on December 5, 2025, at the historic Westminster Abbey in London. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be recorded and broadcast on television.
The service will air on ITV1 and its streaming service, ITVX, on Christmas Eve, with a repeat showing on Christmas Day. This scheduling allows families across the United Kingdom to include the celebration in their holiday traditions.
Celebrity Readers and Performers
This year’s event brings together a distinguished group of actors and musicians to participate in the service.
The readings will be delivered by a roster of acclaimed actors. Kate Winslet, the Oscar-winning actress and newly appointed ambassador for The King’s Foundation, will be among the readers. She is joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his role in 12 Years a Slave, and Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso. The lineup also includes comedian Babatunde Aléshe and rising actor Joe Locke. Prince William is also scheduled to give a reading during the service. The spoken passages will be accompanied by celebrated pianist Paul Gladstone Reid.
The musical performances will blend traditional choral music with contemporary talent. The world-renowned Westminster Abbey Choir will perform some of the country’s best-loved carols. They will be joined by pop-rock artist Dan Smith of Bastille, singer-songwriter Katie Melua, and the Cornish folk group Fisherman’s Friends. Rising pop star Griff is also set to perform. Adding a community touch, young performers from Platinum Performing Arts, an organization based in North London, will give a special performance.
Honoring Community and Legacy
The guest list of approximately 1,600 people is composed of individuals nominated by lord-lieutenants across the UK and charities patronized by the royal family. These guests are recognized for having shown love, kindness, and empathy in their communities, whether by dedicating time to others, leading community initiatives, or offering a helping hand.
The service will also pay tribute to the late Duchess of Kent, who passed away in September 2025. In honor of her legacy and her passion for making music accessible, a brass ensemble of eight teenage musicians from Future Talent will perform as guests arrive. The charity, which she co-founded, supports musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds.
A new element for the 2025 service will be a live illustrator who will capture snapshots of the atmosphere inside the Abbey during the event.
Decorations and Nationwide Celebrations
In line with Princess Kate’s well-known appreciation for nature, the decorations for the event will have a natural and festive theme. Horticulturist Jamie Butterworth, a Gold Medal winner at the Chelsea Flower Show, will create a festive display outside Westminster Abbey featuring British woodland trees, fruits, berries, and Christmas trees.
Inside, the venue will be adorned with wreaths donated by the Royal Horticultural Society and florist Simon Lycett. These wreaths were made in partnership with RHS Ambassadors, including Dame Mary Berry, and schoolchildren.
Guests will be invited to participate in a “Connection Tree” activity, where they can add their own named loop to a paper chain, symbolizing the power of togetherness.
The celebration at Westminster Abbey is just the centerpiece of a wider national event. Fifteen linked community carol services will be held across the UK in locations including Armagh, Greater Manchester, the Isle of Wight, and Lanarkshire. These services, hosted by lord-lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation, will share the same theme of love and togetherness, extending the celebration’s reach to communities nationwide.
Also Read:
Netflix Drops Four New Christmas Movies for 2025 Holiday Season
Michael B. Jordan Confirms Creed 4 and a New TV Series for Amara
Stranger Things’ Star Nancy Wheeler’s Next Case is a Mystery Novel This December
Stranger Things Cast Answers Top Fan Questions, Confirm Atlanta Filming Roots
Wonder Man Trailer Out: Trevor Slattery Teaches Acting in New MCU Series
Rosé and Bruno Mars Win Song of the Year at 2025 MAMA Awards with “APT.”
