Princess Kate has confirmed that her Christmas carol service will return on 11 December 2026, bringing one of the royal family’s key festive traditions back to Westminster Abbey. The Princess of Wales, 44, is set to host more than 1,600 guests at the abbey for the sixth annual Together at Christmas service, according to Hello Magazine. The televised celebration, which airs on Christmas Eve on ITV1, is expected to draw senior royals as well as Prince William and the couple’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Princess Kate Sets Westminster Abbey Date
The service has become a major part of the royal Christmas calendar since its launch, blending music, readings and appearances from special guests. This year’s congregation will include people who have supported others in their local communities, with more details still to come. Traditional and contemporary Christmas music will again form the heart of the program. Westminster Abbey also carries personal meaning for the princess and Prince William, as it was the setting for their 2011 wedding, adding another layer to the annual occasion.
1,600 Guests Expected for Festive Service
The scale of the gathering underlines how firmly the event is now established. In addition to the abbey service, 15 community carol services will take place across the UK, stretching from the Shetland Isles to Devon. The wider initiative reflects this year’s message of love, kindness and care for others. That theme has been central to the service in past years as well, helping shape a celebration that mixes royal tradition with public recognition for community work and local support networks during the holiday season.
Prince George, Charlotte and Louis May Return
Last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended with their three children, who took part in one of the service’s most talked-about moments. The young royals visited the Connection Tree, where guests were invited to add their names to a paper chain, offering a rare glimpse of their handwriting. The televised broadcast also included a piano duet by Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte. "Over five years now the Princess has pulled off a wonderful festive treat for her guests and somehow this one felt more personal than ever," said Emily Nash according to Hello Magazine.
King Charles Begins Royal Christmas Plans
The announcement comes as the royal family starts preparing for the wider holiday season. Christmas is typically spent at Sandringham, where the family attends church before gathering for a traditional lunch at Sandringham House. In the weeks before that, King Charles usually hosts a pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace for senior royals. As reported by Hello Magazine, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are making early plans to spend the holidays in the UK, though they are not expected to join the main family Christmas gathering this year.
