Kensington Palace has released new details about the Princess of Walesβs Together at Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey.
For the first time since the princess launched the event in 2021, a live illustrator will sketch snapshots of the atmosphere inside the Abbey in real time.
The congregation will be welcomed by eight young performers aged between 13-18 from Future Talent, a charity co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to support musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds.
Ahead of the service, guests will walk through a natural festive installation created by horticulturist Jamie Butterworth.
The design will feature British woodland trees in their winter state, interwoven with fruits, berries and Christmas trees, supplied by Form Plants in Weybridge.
Inside the Abbey, wreaths donated by the Royal Horticultural Society and florist Simon Lycett will be on display.
The wreaths have been created with the involvement of RHS Ambassadors, schoolchildren, Dame Mary Berry, Arit Anderson, comedian Tom Allen and presenter Angelica Bell.
There will also be a βConnection Treeβ supported by Hobbycraft, at which guests will be able 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.
Throughout the evening, poignant readings linked to the theme of love, compassion and connection will be delivered by speakers including the Prince of Wales, Kate Winslet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Babatunde AlΓ©shΓ© and Joe Locke, whose reading will be accompanied by pianist Paul Gladstone Reid.
As part of the service, candles will be lit by guests who have met the Prince and Princess of Wales in recent years, as well as those taking part in the programme.
Alongside the Westminster Abbey choir performing well-known carols, attendees will enjoy special musical performances from Hannah Waddingham, Griff, Katie Melua and Cornish folk music group, Fishermanβs Friends, as well as seeing young performers from Platinum Performing Arts dance inside the Abbey.
Guests will be offered mince pies donated by Fortnum and Mason and hot chocolate provided by the Royal Foundation after the service.
