Christmas is coming back to London! And with it, the traditional Westminster Abbey festive service, now in its third year under the patronage of Kate Middleton. This year it will take place on 8 December and will reflect Kate’s ‘Shaping Us’ campaign, launched in January this year to highlight the importance of the early years of a child’s life. This was announced a few minutes ago on social media by Kensington Palace.
In the photo announcing the news, the Princess of Wales is shown decorating a Christmas tree. Kate is wearing her favourite Fair Isle Jumper by Holland Cooper. We saw the Princess of Wales in it last year when she performed a bedtime storytelling gig at CBeebies.
The programme for the festive service is already known. It is reported that it will feature singers Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, performer Freya Rydings and singer and songwriter James Bay. The palace said the service will combine traditional and contemporary elements “to reach people of all faiths”. And the Westminster Abbey Choir will perform some of the nation’s favourite anthems.
It is expected that not only the usual parishioners, but also members of the royal family are expected to attend Kate’s traditional celebration, with the King and Queen likely to join in, as well as Prince William and his and Kate’s eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Five-year-old Prince Louis’ participation in the festive Mass is still in doubt. Last year, the boy, who is known for his mischievous temperament, stayed at home due to his young age.
