Inside Kate Middleton's Christmas carol service as guest spills details
A guest described the night as "monumental"
Kate Middleton’s fifth annual Together at Christmas carol service brought together royals, celebrities, and community heroes under the twinkling lights of Westminster Abbey.
But for many guests, the night wasn’t just about festive spirit; it was about recognition, remembrance, and gratitude.
Among the 1,600 guests at the December 5 service was Emily Taylor, who attended with her husband, James, representing Tŷ Hafan, a children’s hospice in South Wales.
As the Princess of Wales arrived with Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, Emily said the moment felt larger than life.
Guest opens up about Kate Middleton’s ‘monumental’ Christmas carol service
“It was one of those moments when you’re trying to take everything in,” Emily told PEOPLE. “To actually see the prince and the princess and their children walking in together in these grand surroundings. It felt so monumental.”
She continued: “You see them, and they are a parent and their children. You just realise they are just humans. A mum and a dad with their children.”
Emily’s invitation to the carol service carried profound emotional weight. Her daughter, Violet, passed away in August 2023 at just 11 months old due to a rare genetic disorder, TBCK Syndrome.
Emily had previously met Princess Kate in January, when the royal visited Tŷ Hafan and was announced as the hospice’s new patron.
You see them, and they are a parent and their children. You just realise they are just humans.
“It was bittersweet,” Emily shared, noting the emotional connection she felt with the Waleses as a family who has experienced both love and loss.
The evening featured readings and performances from familiar names like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet, and Joe Locke. Comedian Eugene Levy, who hosted Prince William on his show The Reluctant Traveler, also attended.
A standout moment was Ejiofor’s reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Emily described the evening as emotional and surreal, as she reflected on the journey that brought her there.
“I was thinking to myself, how has my life ended up here?” she recalled, acknowledging the grief of losing her daughter but also her gratitude for being part of the event.
Seeing everyone united under one roof, she added, was “really special”.
Together at Christmas
Since becoming patron of Tŷ Hafan, Princess Kate has brought national attention to the importance of children’s hospice care, something Emily believes has made a real difference.
“She shines such a spotlight on Tŷ Hafan,” Emily said. She recalled how, before her own experience, she “didn’t understand” the need for children’s hospices.
Emily said the invitation felt like a small but meaningful way to express her gratitude.
While she admitted she could never truly repay what the hospice had done for her family, she said it was “nice to have the chance in some small way” to personally thank Kate for the awareness she’s helped bring.
Meanwhile, Kate shared a handwritten message with guests at the service, reflecting on the strength of compassion and community.
She described the event as “a moment of collective togetherness” and reminded attendees that even the smallest acts of kindness can make “an extraordinary difference” in the lives of others.
The entire Wales family coordinated in elegant holiday tones. Kate wore a green fur-lined coat, Charlotte donned a navy dress with a white frilled collar, and George and Louis wore smart navy suits.
Now in its fifth year, the Together at Christmas carol service continues to honour those making a quiet difference across the UK.
Read more: Prince Louis stuns royal fans with his height at Kate Middleton’s Christmas carol service
So, what do you think? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider.
