Kate Middleton meets star-studded guests including Roman Kemp and Sheila Hancock at her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey

• The Princess of Wales, 41, hosted a carol concert at Westminster Abbey
• Read More: Princess of Wales invites fans to tune into her ‘special carol service’ 

The Princess of Wales brushed shoulders with some very famous faces who were guests at her Christmas carol service this evening.

Kate  41, stunned in a cream jumper paired with £299 wide-leg Holland Cooper trousers and a stunning bespoke coat from Catherine Walker as she arrived at the venue, where she is hosting her third annual Together at Christmas event at Westminster Abbey. 

The royal mother-of-three accessorised with a white handbag from Strathberry and £6,000 dangling earrings from Van Cleef and Arpels, plus nude pumps. She wore her thick brunette locks in loose curls as they cascaded down her shoulders.

Despite a difficult few weeks for the royal family in which a race row was reignited by author Omid Scobie in his book Endgame, Kate glowed as she smiled on the way into the Abbey. 

And her smile widened even further as she greeted some very famous faces who had joined her to celebrate the occasion – including esteemed actress Sheila Hancock, radio presenter Roman Kemp and his mother Shirley, and former American Idol winner Adam Lambert. 

The Princess of Wales stunned in an all white outfit as she arrived at Westminster Abbey this evening

The carol service will recognise the selfless efforts of communities throughout the UK, highlighting the importance of coming together to support one another – and it will also feature a surprise performance from piano playing Kate, who will treat guests to a rendition of Last Christmas by Wham!.

The performance will likely be well received by Shirley Kemp, who was one half of Pepsi and Shirley, who performed with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! during the 1980s.

Ahead of the service, Kate crouched down to chat to seven-year-old Oscar Burrow, from Lancaster, who when aged six climbed 12 mountains raising more than £40,000 for Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire.

His mother Kimberley Burrow said afterwards: ‘She said she’d heard about what he’s done and he’s doing a fantastic job, and hopes what he’s doing will inspire other children to do amazing things.’

The Princess of Wales greeted Roman Kemp and his mother Shirley, who once performed with Wham!, before she took to the piano to play Last Christmas

The royal mother-of-three looked radiant with her thick brunette locks in loose curls worn hanging down her shoulders

Shortly before the service at Westminster Abbey began, the Princess of Wales chatted with an adorable young guest

Kate was joined by Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who were all carrying orders of service

The Princess wore her thick brunette locks in loose curls cascading down her shoulders 

Upon arrival at the Abbey, Kate greeted some of the special guest including esteemed actress Sheila Hancock

Kate also beamed as she chatted with singer Adam Lambert, who once won American Idol and now performs around the world

Kate also shook hands with Jacob Collier, a singer/songwriter taking part in the carol service

Spearheaded by the Princess, tonight’s concert will combine both traditional and modern elements, reaching people of all faiths and none. 

The service, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, will then be shown on ITV on Christmas Eve.

Last week royal author Omid Scobie published his book Endgame about the royals in recent years, including Harry and Meghan’s leaving for America.

The book rehashed a story from 2021 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made claims in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that someone in the royal family had raised ‘concerns’ about the colour of Prince Archie’s skin before he was born.

Although the UK version of the book did not name anyone involved in the alleged incident, the Dutch version was pulled from shelves and pulped after its translation appeared to name the royals alleged to have had such conversations.

The Princess of Wales looked radiant in an all-white ensemble as she was the first royal to arrive at her third annual Christmas carol service

The Princess of Wales opted for a bronze smoky eye, defined brows, a dark nude lip and highlighted blush 

Kate, who has remained stoic in recent days amid fallout from a royal race row re-ignited by Omid Scobie, appeared to be cool and collected 

Kate opted for high-waisted straight leg trousers from Holland Cooper, a white coat and a white knitted top

The royal evoked thoughts of snowy winter scenes as she arrived at Westminster Abbey, dressed in an all-white ensemble

Kate’s radiant white Christmas outfit brought festive cheer to Westminster Abbey

She beamed as she waved upon arrival at the Abbey for her third carol service, which features some very special guests

Kate’s stunning long coat is a bespoke design from Catherine Walker

As she strolled into the service at Westminster Abbey, the Princess of Wales waved to well-wishers 

Upon arriving at the service, the Princess of Wales greeted the Dean of Westminster with a handshake

Media organisations around the world last week named the royals as the Princess of Wales and King Charles. 

Despite the fallout from the row, Kate has carried out several royal engagements in the past week and brushed off any allegations. 

Last night, beaming Kate posed in front of a Christmas tree for the carol service promotional clip on Thursday, sporting a £420 Self Portrait sequin jacket. The textured white jacket featured buttons, as well as a pearl trim on its pockets and collar. 

For last year’s carol service promo, Kate was shown trimming a Christmas tree in a £179 Fair Isle Jumper from Holland Cooper jumper.

Tonight’s carol service will see the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir perform some of the nation’s most beloved carols, alongside musical performances by guests including Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings and James Bay, and a special duet from Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert. 

Poignant readings will be delivered by speakers including Prince William, Micheal Ward, Emma Willis, Roman Kemp, and Jim Broadbent. 

A beaming Princess of Wales posed in front of a Christmas tree in a promotional clip for the  carol service 

In it, Kate, sporting a £420 Self Portrait sequin jacket, says: ‘Join me this Christmas Eve for a special carol service’

A specially commissioned poem written by Joseph Coelho, the Children’s Laureate, will also be read by Leonie Elliott. 

The broadcast of tonight’s service on Christmas Eve will feature an introduction from Kate and films which bring to life the importance of early childhood and celebrate the remarkable contribution people in our communities are making to support the very youngest members of our society during those crucial early years.

 These will include contributions from Rio and Kate Ferdinand, Ugo Monye, Andrea & Virginia Bocelli and Dame Sheila Hancock. 

The service will see Westminster Abbey filled with sustainable, eco-friendly festive decorations, providing a beautiful Christmas backdrop, nodding to the theme of children and families. 

New features this year include a Christmas Post Box located outside the Abbey for children to send handmade Christmas cards and best wishes to other children who might be struggling this year. 

In addition, guests will be treated to carols and Christmas songs upon arrival from the Action for Children Young Carers Aloud choir, made up of 12 young carers, the youngest of which is just six years old. 

Guests attending the service have been nominated by Lord-Lieutenants across the nation, in addition to charities associated with Members of the Royal Family. 

They will be joined by those working in the early years space which is a key focus area of The Princess of Wales’s work through The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. 

It will also consist of those who may have had a challenging year, including children and families, or those who might find the winter period difficult. 

Royal Carols: Together at Christmas will be broadcast on Christmas Eve at 7.45pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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