Her Royal Highness's Annual Yuletide Carol Concert Honours Community Volunteers

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is presiding over her annual festive musical service at Westminster Abbey, with guests including royals, celebrities and local heroes who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods.

The sizable congregation will enjoy a selection of traditional hymns, orchestral pieces, and literary excerpts from performers including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Centred Around Love and Generosity

The central message of the event, held in the atmospheric historic church on Friday afternoon, is compassion and demonstrating care for others.

In the audience are a couple named the Cordiners, whose young girl was lost to a brain tumour, and who set up a charity, Kayleigh's Wee Stars, to aid parents with a youngster facing a life-limiting condition.

"Your efforts, love, and understanding, often without fanfare or recognition, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the well-being of people," wrote Catherine in a letter ahead of the carol service.

A Gradual Return

The royal has been undertaking her own gradual return to public life subsequent to her illness and medical care, last month delivering her first public speech for two years, in which she reflected on recognising the "discreet, frequently unseen labour of caregivers".

Musical Talent and Access

Those coming to the Abbey will enjoy performances from budding artists supported by the charitable trust Future Talent, set up with the help of the late Duchess of Kent to widen access to music lessons.

Trumpeter Carys Wood, 18, who plays the trumpet and is from Wales, has been supported by the trust, with awards contributing to musical instruments, lessons and travel costs - and she said it was "awesome" to be performing at the concert.

"Musical pursuits are frequently pricey," Carys said. She is now a student at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to develop their musical skills.

A Sisterly Duo

Eliza, Carys's sister who is 11, who plays the euphonium, will likewise attend the Abbey. "It's unbelievable that I get to perform here in front of so many important people," she said.

Attending the service will be representatives of different generations.

That will feature Saphia Turner, aged nine, recipient of a young hero award, who produces drawings and undertakes charity feats to raise money for local food charities.

Yuletide Atmosphere and Acts

The Abbey has been decorated with handcrafted festive wreaths, with TV cook Mary Berry and florist Simon Lycett helping to make them.

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

This annual carol service will be aired by a major network on Christmas Eve.