Princess of Wales Brings Elegance and Warmth to Christmas Carol Service
In a stunning display of elegance, the Princess of Wales graced Westminster Abbey for the annual Christmas Carol service, bringing together members of the royal family, celebrity guests, and community champions. Radiating festive spirit, the Princess wore a breathtaking red coat dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, a trusted designer of the royal. The coat, adorned with a chic black bow at the collar, offered a sophisticated touch while keeping her warm against the winter chill. Beneath the coat, a tartan red skirt by Amelia Wickstead peeked through its split, adding a striking pattern to her ensemble.
To complete her look, the mother of three paired her long coat with black suede stiletto boots featuring a flattering pointed toe. The Princess was all smiles as she arrived solo to host the event, while her husband, Prince William, and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—were expected to join the evening festivities. The Middleton family, including her parents Carole and Michael, her sister Pippa, and brother-in-law James Matthews, were also anticipated to attend, as they did last year. King Charles III and Queen Camilla were among other notable royal attendees.
This year's carol service welcomed 1,600 guests, many of whom were selected for their remarkable contributions to their communities. Each guest received a heartfelt letter from the Princess, emphasizing the power of love and light even in challenging times. The order of service featured artwork by Charlie Mackesy and underscored the theme of mutual support and inspiration, both during Christmas and throughout the year.
Among the inspiring guests was 9-year-old Isla Brown from Cambridgeshire, who raised over £2,000 for her best friend Harrison and her brother, both diagnosed with Batten disease—a degenerative condition. Isla achieved this through a series of marathons, bake sales, and a 100-mile bike ride. Olivia Bowditch from Dorset was also invited for her dedicated volunteering with the charity From Me to You, which sends anonymous letters to cancer patients to uplift and support them. Olivia’s work caught the Princess's attention when she wrote a letter sharing her efforts.
Another notable attendee, Divin Holly, became the first man to complete the London Marathon while using an oxygen machine, raising £20,000 for Asthma + Lung UK. Holly, who lives with an incurable lung disease, also shares health advice through videos to support others facing similar conditions.
British Paralympic swimmer Ellie Challis, who lost her lower limbs and arms to meningitis as a toddler, attended as well. Despite her early challenges, Ellie went on to win medals in international competitions, including silver at the Tokyo Paralympics and gold in Paris in 2024. Photographer Christopher Hall, who experienced homelessness for two years, was also invited. After discovering his talent for photography through a charity, Hall founded the Christopher Hall Foundation to promote inclusivity and empowerment through visual storytelling.
Families impacted by the Southport knife attack, whom the Princess and Prince William met earlier this year, were honored guests as well. The event also included six-time Olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who is battling terminal prostate cancer, and Lindsey Burrow, widow of MND campaigner Rob Burrow, both of whom participated in the candle-lighting ceremony.
The evening, filled with love, music, and heartfelt tributes, served as a reminder of the strength found in communities coming together and the enduring message of Christmas: to shine a light for one another.
