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NEED TO KNOW
Kate Middleton has announced the date and theme of her annual Christmas event
The fifth edition of the "Together at Christmas" carol service will again be held at Westminster Abbey
A well-known actress will join the guest list this year
Kate Middletonis continuing a Christmas tradition — with a little help from a Hollywood star.
At midnight on Nov. 13, local time, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales, 43, will host her fifth annual "Together at Christmas" Carol Service on Friday, Dec. 5, at Westminster Abbey in London.
The announcement also revealed thatKate Winslet,Hannah Waddingham, Dan Smith and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all involved. Winslet, an Academy Award-winning actor, willattend after her appointment as an ambassadorfor The King's Foundation, one ofKing Charles' personal charities, in June.
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As for what's to come at the festive event on Dec. 5, a palace statement said, "Combining traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service will see the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir sing some of the nation's most beloved carols, alongside musical performances and readings by guests including Hannah Waddingham, Dan Smith, Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor."
"The Service will also showcase stories of some of the incredible guests in the congregation, who are leading by example and helping to create a more connected society," it continued.
The theme for this year's event is "lovein all its forms."
"This year, the Service will bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms — whether it's love within families, through friendships, across communities or even through powerful moments of connection with strangers. In a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, love is the force that reconnects us all – spanning generations, communities, cultures and faiths," the statement said.
"As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of the power of togetherness. The evening will highlight the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence and joy," it added.
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Supported by The Royal Foundation, Princess Kate spearheaded the "Together at Christmas" Carol Service in 2021 as a tribute to those who went above and beyond for others during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event has continued ever since, evolving into a celebration of the best of what's being done in communities across the U.K.
This year, the Princess of Wales wanted to acknowledge and thank those who are acting with love in their communities, contributing to a more cohesive, connected society. Princess Kate recentlyreflected in an essayabout how the ubiquitous nature of technology today is fueling an "epidemic of disconnection" and said that "true connection requires presence."
On Dec. 5, Westminster Abbey (where Princess Kate andPrince Williamwed in 2011) will welcome a congregation of 1,600, all connected to the theme of love. The guests may have dedicated their time or volunteered to be present with others, launched initiatives that bring community members together or shown kindness and empathy to the people around them.
Members of the royal family will also be in attendance, as will "recognizable faces" who have shown love to foster compassion and togetherness.
Last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales brought their three children,Prince George, 12,Princess Charlotte, 10, andPrince Louis, 7, to the event.
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In a moving touch, the fifth edition of "Together at Christmas" will also include an homage toKatharine, the Duchess of Kent, a former working member of the royal family who died at age 92 in September.
Before guests enter Westminster Abbey, they will hear music from young performers from Future Talent, the charity that the late Duchess of Kent co-founded to support musically gifted children from low-income backgrounds in the U.K.
Princess Kate is also bringing her passion for nature into the service through decor.
Plantsman and horticulturist Jamie Butterworth will create a festive environment outside Westminster Abbey in the heart of London to highlight the importance of nature in our lives, and the The Royal Horticultural Society will donate wreaths, produced in partnership with their Ambassadors and schoolchildren, for display inside.
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The Princess of Wales has saidnature was a source of solace for herwhile she was undergoing treatment for cancer in 2024. Princess shared that news about her health in March 2025 and said in January of this year that she is in remission.
Princess Kate's fifth annual "Together at Christmas" service will be filmed for broadcast and air as part of a special program on ITV 1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — but that's not the only show.
Beyond the big night at Westminster Abbey, fifteen other "Together at Christmas" Community Carol Services will be held around the U.K., hosted by local Lord-Lieutenants and backed by the Royal Foundation that encompasses Prince William and Princess Kate's charity work.
Like the main event at the ancient Abbey, the community carol services will honor those who have gone above and beyond to show love and uplift others.
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