Princess of Wales invites Southport child survivors to Christmas carol concert

Annual festive event forms part of Princess’s gradual return to public duties after finishing chemotherapy treatment

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The Princess of Wales has invited child survivors of the Southport stabbing to her annual Christmas carol concert.
The Princess, who is recovering from cancer, is holding her festive event at Westminster Abbey on Dec 6, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
It comes after the Princess and the Prince of Wales met privately with the bereaved families of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in Southport, as well as the children’s dance teacher.
At the Southport Community Centre, they met emergency responders involved in the attack and heard about their experiences.
The Princess had set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service in 2024 despite the health challenges she faced in what the Prince of Wales described as a “brutal” year.
It forms part of her gradual return to public duties after finishing chemotherapy treatment in the summer.
The Palace said the Princess, who honoured the war dead at Remembrance events earlier this month, wanted the theme of this year’s carol service to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the “importance of love and empathy”.
“The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.”
The Palace added: “This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need – individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else, shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.
“This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy.”
It will be the fourth time the Princess of Wales has staged her Together At Christmas carol service, which is supported by The Royal Foundation.
The event will be filmed as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.
Members of the Royal family will join around 1,600 people at the Abbey for musical performances by the world-renowned Abbey Choir and stars including Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter.
Among the invited guests will be people who have given support, either on a personal level with friends and family or through their work or volunteering.
They have been nominated by charities associated with the Royal family and by Lord Lieutenants, the King’s representatives in counties across the UK.
Last year, the Wales children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – attended the holiday service, alongside the Middleton family.
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