The Princess of Wales contacted grieving Lady Gabriella Windsor for help planning her Christmas carol concert.
Kate, 42, this summer called on Lady Gabriella, 43, whose husband Thomas Kingston committed suicide in February.
Lady Gabriella, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, was instrumental in planning the service at Westminster Abbey on December 6.
Her financier husband, 45, who she married in 2019, shot himself dead at his parents’ Cotswolds home after an adverse reaction to antidepressants.
Lady Gabriella is said to be a ‘real member of the carol team’ and influential in choosing the musical performances.
As a singer-songwriter who has previously released a charity single, she brought her expertise to the concert.
An insider said she was ‘enjoying her role within the service and excited to be part of it’, while the princess was ‘incredibly grateful for her contribution’.
A friend added: ‘She was very touched and grateful that the Princess was asked to contribute to her special concert. She felt honored.”
The Princess of Wales, 42, hosted her fourth ‘Together at Christmas’ service at the historic church in the heart of London in early December
Lady Helen Taylor and Lady Gabriella Windsor arrive for the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London
The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service
Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service in Westminster Abbey
One of Lady Gabriella’s personal touches was helping to involve the youth organization Restore the Music, who played for guests as they lined up to enter the service.
Polly Moore, CEO of Restore the Music, said: ‘Lady Gabriella has an incredible passion for music and helping young people find their voice.
‘She has been an ambassador for us for five years and often visits our events.
‘When she messaged me to ask if I was interested, I said, “Are you kidding me, of course!”
‘She was incredibly approachable and a brilliant sounding board in the planning process. She is the most wonderful person. I am extremely grateful to her.’
Lady Gabriella helped select singer Gregory Porter and pianist Rosey Chan to perform a specially composed lyrical piece that was played alongside a poem read by actress Sophie Okonedo.
The Princess of Wales has further shared a heartfelt Christmas message calling on Britons to turn to ‘love, not fear’ before her annual carol concert airs on Christmas Eve.
The Princess of Wales, 42, hosted her fourth ‘Together at Christmas’ service at the historic church in the heart of London in early December.
This was one of the few times the mother of three appeared in public this year, after undergoing a preventative course of chemotherapy in the first half of 2024.
The Princess of Wales at the Together At Christmas carol service in December
Kate Middleton has shared a heartfelt Christmas message calling on Brits to turn to ‘love, not fear’ before her annual carol concert airs on Christmas Eve. Pictured: Prince William and Prince George
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, arrive for the Together At Christmas carol service
The Princess of Wales underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors announced the news that they had found signs of cancer and advised her to undergo the grueling treatment.
But months later, Kate begins to return to public life and holds her fourth ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey, which will be televised by ITV on Christmas Eve.
The broadcast will begin with a special Christmas message from the Princess of Wales, who will urge Britons to ‘slow down and think about the deeper things that connect us all’.
Her message about the importance of love and empathy was given in a letter to all guests at the Westminster Abbey service and 15 regional community services on December 6.
She will say: ‘Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, it’s a time for presents, tinsel and cakes, but it’s also a time to slow down and think about the deeper things that connect us all.
‘It is when we stop and remove ourselves from the pressures of everyday life that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, which is exactly what the Christmas spirit is all about.
‘The Christmas story encourages us to reflect on the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, and how much we need each other despite our differences.
“Above all, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.”
The theme of this year’s ‘Together at Christmas’ concert is love and empathy, which is perhaps fitting given the difficult year the Princess of Wales has had.
The broadcast will begin with a special Christmas message from the Princess of Wales, who will urge Britons to ‘slow down and think about the deeper things that connect us all’
The concert was one of the few times the mother of three appeared in public this year, after undergoing a preventative course of chemotherapy in the first half of 2024.
Kate was full of laughter as she chatted with some of her guests at the Christmas carol concert, including Paloma Faith
This year, in addition to their Order of Service, each guest received a special letter from the Princess of Wales, thanking them for all they have done to provide comfort and hope to those who need it most
Kate will say, “The love we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.
“Love is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas, but every day of our lives.
‘There are so many inspiring people across the UK embracing those in need. This Carol Service is a heartfelt celebration of all of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and all year round, we should all shine for each other.
‘For in times of joy and sorrow we are all each other’s light.’
The mother of three concludes by wishing viewers a ‘very Merry Christmas’.
Her message will be a voice-over played at the start of the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
Following this, the broadcast of its annual celebration event will be narrated by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald and will include ‘three special community films that bring to life the stories of people and organizations who have inspired, advised and comforted others in times of need’.
Kensington Palace said: ‘In each of the films we see the groups receiving letters from the Princess inviting them to attend the service at Westminster Abbey – and in the case of the Sankofa Songsters, to sing along.’
The royal mother of three greets children performing at Westminster Abbey for her Christmas carol concert
Her message about the importance of love and empathy was given in a letter to all guests at the Westminster Abbey service, as well as 15 regional community services, on December 6.
The Princess of Wales sat opposite Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, who matched their mother’s red ensemble, during the Christmas carol concert
The films feature the Worcestershire Gingerbread Group, Beyond Cornwall and the intergenerational choir the Sankofa Songsters.
The first – focused on the Worcestershire Gingerbread Group – will highlight a single mother from Worcestershire who has laid the foundations to tackle loneliness.
The film showcasing Beyond Cornwall features six young carers aged between eight and 13, who ‘do their best every day to show empathy and support to their families’.
And the last will describe an intergenerational choir based in Belong Chester. This not-for-profit care village brings together care home residents and their young friends from The Nursery in Belong, run by national charity Ready Generations.
Kensington Palace says the choir has ‘improved the lives of everyone and strengthened relationships between all ages by spreading kindness and love, with members ranging in age from two to 100.’