Royal Christmas Carols: Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte Record Pre-Recorded Piano Duet for ITV Christmas Eve Broadcast
LONDON – A festive moment from Windsor Castle appears in ITV’s Christmas Eve broadcast: a pre-recorded piano duet featuring Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her daughter, princess charlotte. The performance, captured in the inner Hall last week, accompanies this year’s Together at Christmas service and highlights a message of simple acts of care during the season.
The piece, Holm Sound by Scottish composer Erland Cooper, was recorded specifically for the ITV1 program. In the clip, Catherine sits at the grand piano with one hand while Charlotte accompanies with the other, a testament to their continued closeness and shared love of music.
The clip debuted as Kensington Palace teased a “special duet” ahead of the broadcast. The event’s broadcast also shows guests arriving at Westminster Abbey for the carol service, with Prince and Princess of Wales watching as their children add names to a “connection tree” made of paper chains outside the abbey.
Catherine narrates the segment, reflecting on the holiday season’s core message: love expressed through small, human gestures. “Not in sentimental or grand gestures,but gentle ones-a moment of listening,a word of comfort,a pleasant conversation,a helping hand,presence,” she says. She adds that thes quiet acts of care contribute to life’s broader tapestry that binds everyone.
Music and verse were a central feature of the evening beyond the pre-recorded duet. The 1,600 guests included royals, celebrities and local heroes, with a blend of traditional and contemporary elements. readings were delivered by actors such as Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, alongside performances from katie Melua, Dan Smith, and Zac Abel. The Prince of Wales read a Bible passage from the pulpit.
Charlotte, along with her brothers Prince George and Prince Louis, attended the service.Catherine, who has pursued piano studies at grades three and theory at grade five, has previously taken part in carol services, including the inaugural event in 2021 when she accompanied singer-songwriter Tom walker.
Organisers described this year’s theme as a celebration of “the power of love and togetherness” amid a world that can feel fragmented.The message, they say, is to recognize and celebrate connections in all forms of love.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Windsor Castle; Inner Hall and Westminster Abbey |
| Performance | holm Sound piano duet recorded for ITV1 Christmas Eve broadcast |
| Key participants | catherine, princess of wales; Princess Charlotte; Prince of Wales; 1,600 guests |
| Thematic focus | Power of love and togetherness; quiet acts of care |
| Notable moments | Paper-chain “connection tree”; Bible reading by the Prince of Wales; readings by Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor |
beyond the household moment, the service blended traditional carols with modern touches to welcome worshippers of all faiths and none, underscoring a unifying message for the season. The event’s reverent tone and its public-facing presentation continue to highlight the royal family’s role in charitable and cultural outreach.
evergreen perspective: Royal Christmas broadcasts like this often serve as a bridge between enduring tradition and contemporary audiences. They spotlight family moments that resonate with many viewers while reinforcing themes of empathy, generosity, and community service that endure beyond the holiday season.
Reader questions:
1) What small acts of kindness do you plan to practice this holiday season?
2) How do public Christmas events shape your view of tradition versus modern engagement?
For further context on the event’s heritage, past royal Christmas moments have included Catherine accompanying others on piano during public services, reflecting a long-standing blend of music and message in royal Christmas programming. Learn more about related Christmas programming coverage from the BBC’s archive coverage of similar occasions. Historical royal carol performances.
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as families nationwide reflect on the season’s themes of love, listening, and presence.
Note: This article reflects the broadcast material and publicly shared details surrounding the event.
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