The past week has seen the royal family thrust into the spotlight once again, as Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir “Spare” hit shelves around the world. The book contains numerous bombshell revelations about Harry’s life in the royal family, including details of alleged physical altercations with his brother Prince William.
While the salacious claims have dominated headlines globally, one royal has helped shift some of the attention this week – Kate, the Princess of Wales.
According to Express, on Friday evening, Kate hosted her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, which aired on ITV on Christmas Eve. The event brought together members of the royal family and showcased various musical performances in front of a 2,000 strong audience.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield believes the carol concert helped highlight the strengths of the royal family during a turbulent time. “I think there is something so enchanting about watching the Royal Family at Christmas time. This really is their time to shine,” Schofield told TalkTV.
“Their focus is unity and strength and hope for the future. I do think that they are overshadowing some of the negativity that kind of surrounds the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by keeping their focus on the future, keeping their focus on service, duty and honour.”
The Princess of Wales dazzled in an elegant dress by Needle & Thread for the occasion, accessorized with a pair of art deco style earrings that previously belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
The concert featured performances from the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gregory Porter and Alfie Boe, as well as readings from Prince William, Sophie Wessex and Princess Beatrice. The Westminster Abbey choir performed traditional carols, along with the band of the Coldstream Guards.
Rather than giving a speech herself, Kate introduced a special tribute video celebrating the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September. The video montage featured photos of the Queen from over the years, set to the song “In Remembrance” performed by Gregory Porter.
The Princess also highlighted the efforts of individuals and organizations across Britain who have gone above and beyond to support their communities. This has been a hallmark of Kate’s recent royal work – using her platform to showcase positive change and bring people together.
The carol concert airing attracted 5.1 million UK viewers, with millions more watching globally via YouTube and other platforms.
The positive response is a testament to the Princess’ growing confidence and status within the royal family. Since taking on the role of Princess of Wales in September, Kate has stepped up her public duties and assumed patronages reflecting her key interests like early childhood development.
Despite the turmoil brought by Prince Harry’s book, moments like the Christmas carol concert demonstrate the enduring popularity of Kate and the wider royal family. As Kinsey Schofield notes, the royal family’s focus on unity and service continues to strike a chord with the public.
So while the salacious headlines around Prince Harry’s memoir will likely continue for some time, the Princess of Wales has helped secure a major public relations win this Christmas for the royals. Her focus on bringing people together through initiatives like the carol concert highlights hope for the monarchy moving forward.
