The Princess of Wales's Annual Festive Service of Carols Honours Community Volunteers

The Princess of Wales is hosting her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, with attendees featuring royals, celebrities and local heroes who have supported their local areas.

The large audience will enjoy a blend of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from performers including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Focusing on Compassion and Love

The theme of the event, held in the atmospheric historic church on the afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others.

Attending the event are Jonathan and Anna Cordiner, whose child passed away from a tumour, and who founded an organisation, a support fund, to support families who have a child with a terminal illness.

"The dedication, empathy, and kindness you show, often without fanfare or recognition, and without any thought of thanks or praise, make an remarkable change to the well-being of people," the Princess expressed in a note prior to the carol service.

A Gradual Return

The princess has been making her own measured re-emergence to the public eye after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, in November making her first public speech for two years, in which she talked about recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers".

Performance and Potential

Guests arriving at the Abbey will be entertained by talented youth performers supported by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the former royal to increase availability of musical tuition.

Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who is a trumpet player and is from Pembrokeshire, has been supported by the organisation, with funding assisting with musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "awesome" to be playing at tonight's service.

"Pursuing music is often costly," Carys said. She is now enrolled at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to hone their artistic talents.

Generations Gathering

Carys's 11-year-old sister, Eliza, who is a euphonium player, will also be at the Abbey. "I never imagined I would perform in front of so many important people," she said.

Attending the service will be individuals spanning multiple eras.

That will feature Saphia Turner, aged nine, winner of a youth community award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for local food charities.

Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment

The Abbey has been adorned with handcrafted festive wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett helping to make them.

Among the musical performers will be Katie Melua, the Abbey's own choir and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the chance to take part was "the perfect culmination."

The festive event titled 'Together at Christmas' will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.