Meghan's conspicuous absence at the Carol service stood in stark contrast to Catherine's presence, and it did not escape the notice of fans and critics of the Sussexes. Many took to social media to taunt Meghan, citing the infamous incident in 2018 when she attempted to kiss the Queen on the cheek during a Commonwealth Day service but was rebuffed as the monarch turned her head away and offered her hand instead.
Fans hailed Catherine as a respectful and dutiful member of the Royal Family who had earned the love and trust of the King and the nation. In contrast, they criticized Meghan for being a disrespectful and self-serving outsider who had betrayed the royal family and the country for her personal ambitions. Allegations against Meghan included being a narcissist, a liar, a manipulator, and a gold digger who had used Harry as a stepping stone to achieve fame and fortune. Some claimed that Meghan had isolated Harry from his friends, relatives, and heritage, asserting that she had influenced him to adopt her radical views on social justice and politics.
During the Carol service, Catherine, resplendent in a winter white ensemble, was accompanied by her husband Prince William and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who made his debut at the service this year. The Wales family exchanged greetings with the clergy and some of the performers, including Adam Lambert, Beverly Knight, Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings, and James Bay, before the service commenced.
Prince William delivered a reading during the service, alongside additional readings by Michael Wall, Emma Willis, Roman Kemp, and Jim Broadbent. A specially commissioned poem by Joseph Coelho, the Children's Laureate, was also recited by Leone Elliot.
In attendance to support Katherine were her parents, Carol and Michael Middleton, as well as her sister, Pippa Middleton, and her husband, James Matthews. Many other members of the royal family graced the event, including Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and more.
The Carol service was aligned with Katherine's Shaping Us Campaign, which focuses on supporting children during their early years. A spokesperson from Katherine's Kensington Palace office elucidated the theme's significance, emphasizing that Christmas is a celebration of a newborn's arrival and a reminder of the unique and precious nature of early childhood. It symbolizes hope and the formation of essential bonds with loved ones.
However, any hopes of reconciliation between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the royal family were dashed following the Queen's passing in September 2021. Although the couple attended the Queen's funeral in the UK, they were met with a frosty reception from both the Royals and the public. They opted not to stay for the King's coronation and did not visit King Charles or Catherine at Buckingham Palace.
