Sophie Wessex exudes class as she attends Kate’s carol live performance

The Duchess of Edinburgh exuded class as she arrived on the Princess of Wales’ Together at Christmas carol live performance, held at Westminster Abbey, this night.

The mother-of-two, 58, wrapped up towards the winter chill in an azure wool coat, which she debuted in 2019, layered over a figure-skimming maxi gown. 

As she beamed on arrival on the royal occasion, her husband Prince Edward and kids, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

Sophie expertly styled her outfit with knee-high boots, whereas her blonde locks have been neatly clipped right into a half up-half down model. She opted for glamorous make-up, that includes a smoky eye, bronzed cheekbones and festive crimson lip. 

The royal arrived shortly after the Princess of Wales, who wowed in an all-white ensemble, and Pippa Middleton, donning a classy tweed go well with by Saloni. 

The Princess of Wales shocked visitors with a rendition of Last Christmas performed on John Lennon‘s piano.

Kate has been loaned the enduring instrument – on which the previous Beatle composed the music ‘Imagine’ – by the property of the late George Michael.

The singer – who died tragically on Christmas Day 2016 – purchased it in 2000 for a staggering £1.45 million.

His famed Christmas hit will probably be carried out by British Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Jacob Collier in what’s going to undoubtedly be the spotlight of the royal service, now in its third yr.

Royal Carols: Together at Christmas will probably be filmed tonight and broadcast on Christmas Eve on ITVI and ITVX.

Spearheaded by the princess and supported by The Royal Foundation, William and Kate’s charitable organisation, it’s designed to recognise those that have gone above and past to assist others all year long.

The theme this yr is Kate’s Early Years marketing campaign, designed to focus on how vital what occurs to youngsters between the ages of start to 5 is in shaping their growth as adults.

Among the 1,500 invited visitors tonight will probably be dad and mom, carers, early educators, midwives, well being guests and neighborhood volunteers. 

All have both been nominated by Lord-Lieutenants throughout the nation or charities related to the Royal Family, in addition to individuals the princess is aware of personally by her work within the discipline along with her Royal Foundation for Early Childhood Centre.

Some households with younger youngsters who’ve had a very difficult yr have additionally been invited too after being nominated by charities the princess has associations with.

The service, combining conventional and fashionable parts, will see the Westminster Abbey choir carry out alongside musicians together with singers Freya Ridings and James Bey, with a particular duet from Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert of The Christmas Song, made well-known by Nat King Cole.

Readings will probably be delivered by Prince William, actor Jim Broadbent, presenter Emma Willis and actor Michael Ward.

Presenter Roman Kemp will introduce the particular rendition of Last Christmas on Lennon’s piano, speaking in regards to the position George Michael performed in his personal life – his mom, Shirlie Kemp, was certainly one of his backing singers – and the story of the piano itself.

A supply informed the Mail that the instrument had been loaned by his property who have been eager to assist this yr’s service.

Lennon, who was killed by gunman Mark Chapman in December 1980, purchased the piano in 1970 and had it delivered to studios at his dwelling in Tittenhurst Park, Berkshire. 

He composed and recorded Imagine on it the next yr, and was filmed enjoying the music on it for the primary time to spouse Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono band.

It went on to turn out to be the best-selling single of his solo profession.

George Michael, who subsequently composed his personal music utilizing it together with the title monitor of his 2004 album Patience, stated he purchased the piano as a result of it was ‘not the kind of factor that needs to be in storage someplace or being protected, it needs to be seen by individuals’.

 

Tonight’s service will probably be attended by the princess’ household, pals and different members of the Royal Family.

Although he is not going to be current because of a diary conflict, the King has donated Christmas timber from Windsor Great Park to embellish Westminster Abbey, which will probably be donated to the area people after the service.

The abbey can even be crammed with sustainable, eco-friendly festive decorations.

Outside the princess has had a particular submit field put in, with visitors inspired to convey a card which will probably be distributed to youngsters who is likely to be struggling this yr by charities together with Child Bereavement UK, East Anglia Children’s Hospice, Evelina London and the British Red Cross.

They can even be greeted by carols and Christmas songs by the Action for Children Young Carers Aloud Choir, made up of 12 younger carers aged six upwards.

A royal aide stated the princess – who is not going to communicate on the evening however will function in a pre-filmed introduction to be broadcast on Christmas Eve – hoped the service would remind individuals of ‘how treasured’ the early years of a kid’s life at a time when the world celebrates the start of a new child child.

‘It is a reminder of how distinctive this time is, and the way treasured these early years are, as we begin to kind our very first relationships, bond with these closest to us, and discover the world wherein we reside,’ they stated.

‘It additionally signifies hope. As we glance to the longer term, we hope our youngsters will develop up in a happier, more healthy, fairer, kinder and extra tolerant world. A world primarily based on love and compassion.

‘This night, Westminster Abbey will probably be crammed with greater than 1,500 inspiring individuals in appreciation of their selfless assist as they work tirelessly to assist the youngest members of our society to flourish.’

Royal Carols: Together at Christmas will air on December 24 at 7.45pm on ITV1 and ITVX