Kate Middleton Attends Carol Service In Festive Reds

2 days ago

The royal sees out the year in her signature sophisticated glamour

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Westminster Abbey lit up on Friday as people poured in to see the attendees of this year’s Royal Carols: Together At Christmas event. The carol service was once more hosted by Kate Middleton, who has been steadily making a return to the public eye following her cancer diagnosis and treatment over the last several months.

But on this night, the mood was bright – and the royals, in their colour coordinated red ensembles, seemed full of festive joy.

Kate Middleton Attends Together At Christmas Carol Service

Now in her fourth year as host of the annual carol service, the Princess of Wales is well-attuned to the ongoings of the event. She has reportedly been very hands-on with this year’s service, holding regular planning meetings at Windsor in the lead-up.

Reflecting on the last 12 months, the royal chose the theme of ‘love and empathy’ for this year’s carol service. ‘This year’s service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult time of our lives,’ the palace said in an earlier statement.

This was reflected in the event’s guestlist, which included 1,600 people who have demonstrated love, kindness and empathy for others in their communities. Amongst the guests were young people who had taken part in charity initiatives, community heroes, WWII veterans, athletes, musicians and other members of the royal family.

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, and other Members of the Royal Family attend the Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey. Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

The princess arrived at Westminster Abbey ahead of her family to greet organisers, meet guests, chat with performers and look at the decorations. She later joined her husband and children outside the church, before walking back in together. All five royals were dressed in red.

What Did Kate Middleton Wear To This Year’s Carol Service?

Departing from last year’s winter whites palette, Kate Middleton attended the 2024 carol service in an array of festive reds.

The Princess of Wales was spotted in a red, double-breasted coat – the centrepiece of her outfit – featuring a longline silhouette and tailored fit. The coat, a bespoke creation by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was also adorned with a black velvet bow at the neckline for a more festive look.

This is the fourth time the royal has worn the McQueen coat to a public event – the previous times being to the launch of the Hold Still outdoor photography exhibition in October 2020, during a visit to Cardiff for the Royal Train tour in December 2020, and at the England v Papua New Guinea rugby game in November 2022.

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She teamed the coat with an A-line skirt from Emilia Wickstead’s Autumn/Winter 2018 collection. Featuring sharp knife pleats and a red plaid pattern, it easily matched the festive theme of the night’s activities.

Another re-wear, the skirt has already been on multiple outings with the royal. This includes an attendance at a Christmas Party with the Royal British Legion in 2018, and during the Cardiff leg of the Royal Train Tour in 2020 (where she wore it with the aforementioned red McQueen coat).

On her feet, the Princess of Wales wore a pair of black suede Ralph Lauren boots, which have become a staple in the royal’s cold weather wardrobe over the years.

She finished off the ensemble with an 18ct gold-plated Salamander Toque Bangle from Halcyon Days and a pair of gold and pearl Amberley earrings by Mulberry.

Where & When Was Together At Christmas Filmed?

The carol service was filmed at Westminster Abbey on Friday 6 December, and was attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales as well as their children Prince George (aged 11), Princess Charlotte (aged nine) and Prince Louis (aged six). This marks the first time the family have been seen all together in public since Trooping the Colour back in June.

Other royals in attendance included Princess Beatrice, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Zara Tindall, as well as Kate’s mother, sister and brother.