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

The Princess of Wales is hosting her annual festive musical service at the historic Abbey, with attendees featuring royals, celebrities and local heroes who have helped their communities.

The large audience will listen to a blend of festive songs, musical performances, and spoken word pieces from stars like award-winning actors.

Centred Around Compassion and Love

The focus of the concert, held in the candle-lit Abbey on the afternoon, is kindness and showing love to others.

Among the guests will be a couple named the Cordiners, whose daughter died of a tumour, and who founded an organisation, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to help households where there is a youngster facing a life-limiting condition.

"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 circumstances of individuals," the Princess expressed in a message before the concert.

A Steady Comeback

The princess has been making her own measured re-emergence to official duties after her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, recently giving 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 can listen to young musicians supported by the charitable trust Future Talent, co-founded by the former royal to widen access to musical tuition.

Carys Wood, aged 18, who plays the trumpet and is from southwest Wales, has been helped by the charity, with grants helping towards instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at tonight's service.

"Musical pursuits are frequently pricey," Carys said. She is now enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to develop their musical skills.

Generations Gathering

Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who plays the euphonium, will likewise attend 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 young hero award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to collect donations for food banks.

Seasonal Ambiance and Entertainment

The Abbey has been decorated with specially made wreaths, with well-known chef Mary Berry and flower expert Simon Lycett contributing to their design.

Among the musical performers will be singer Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a maritime folk band from Cornwall, Fisherman's Friends, who said the opportunity to perform was "a dream come true."

This annual carol service will be aired by ITV1 on Christmas Eve.