Princess Kate Marks Her First Christmas Without a Beloved Royal Family Member with a Touching Tribute

The Princess of Wales is preparing a touching tribute to the late Duchess of Kent during her upcoming annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

Kensington Palace confirmed that the festive event will take place on Friday, 5 December, and will include a special nod to Katherine, Duchess of Kent, who passed away on 4 September at the age of 92.

In a heartfelt gesture, young performers from Future Talent — the charity the Duchess co-founded to support musically gifted children from low-income families — will take part in the service. Before guests enter the Abbey, they will be greeted with performances by these young musicians, symbolising the late Duchess’s lifelong dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent.

The inclusion of Future Talent’s young artists adds an emotional layer to what has become one of the most cherished events in the royal festive calendar, reflecting Princess Kate’s continuing focus on children, creativity, and opportunity for all.

The palace has also revealed this year’s special guests, who will take part in the service through readings or musical performances. Among them are Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, Bastille’s Dan Smith, and acclaimed actors Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The world-famous Westminster Abbey choir will once again perform many beloved traditional carols.

Outside the Abbey, guests will be greeted by natural festive displays designed by plantsman and horticulturist Jamie Butterworth, created to highlight the role and beauty of nature in our everyday lives.

This marks the fifth year that the Princess of Wales has hosted her carol service. For 2025, the theme centres on celebrating love in all its forms — within families, through friendships, across communities, and beyond.

As in previous years, fifteen Together at Christmas community carol services will take place across the UK, supported by The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, ensuring the spirit of the evening reaches people far beyond Westminster Abbey.

Duchess of Kent’s tragic death

The Duchess of Kent’s passing in September was marked by a heartfelt statement from Buckingham Palace. It read:

“It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family. The King and Queen and all members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”

Her legacy — especially her dedication to nurturing young musical talent — continues to be honoured in the months following her death.

Here is a smoothly paraphrased version with your formatting preferences respected:

Upon her passing, the Duke of Kent, now 90, became the oldest living member of the British royal family. The couple, married for 64 years, had long made their home at Wren House within Kensington Palace. In her later years, the Duchess gradually stepped away from public life, having relinquished the use of her HRH style in 2002. Touchingly, her final public appearance came on the Duke’s 89th birthday in October 2024, when the two watched a performance by bagpipers outside their residence.

Duchess of Kent’s passion for music

Here is a polished paraphrased version, keeping italics only for quoted text and using minimal bolding:

Katharine’s lifelong love of music began in childhood. While at school, she learned the piano, organ and violin, eventually becoming an accomplished performer on both keyboard instruments. She also sang publicly as a soprano with the esteemed Bach Choir.

In 2002, she withdrew from royal duties and set aside the HRH title, famously telling the BBC, “Call me Katharine.” She then devoted 13 years to teaching music at Wansbeck Primary School in Hull.

“I was just known as Mrs Kent,” she later told The Telegraph in 2022. “Only the head knew who I was. The parents didn’t know and the pupils didn’t know. No one ever noticed. There was no publicity about it at all – it just seemed to work.”

Here is a paraphrased version in the same style, with italics only for quoted text and no unnecessary bold:

During her time teaching, the Duchess became aware that many talented young musicians were being held back by financial difficulties and a lack of proper support. Wanting to change that, she helped establish the charity Future Talent in 2004, dedicated to providing opportunities for promising young performers across the UK.

Her devotion to music also shone through in her long-standing roles, including 35 years as President of the Royal Northern College of Music and her patronage of major cultural initiatives such as the BBC Young Musician competition.

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