She wasn’t born into the House of Windsor, but the Duchess of Cambridge’s latest endeavor reveals her central position in the family now -- and possibly gives us a glimpse of the Queen she will one day become.
The evening of carols is not an annual event but, rather, one that was spearheaded by the duchess, who wanted to put on “a celebration of life in our communities, and illustrate how acts of kindness, empathy and love can nurture and reconnect us.”
Within the order of service, she reflected on the end of “another extraordinary year” and the “previously unimaginable challenges” of the past 18 months. The congregation was made up of guests nominated by their local communities, as well as representatives from many of the charities and patronages of the Queen and other royal family members. Invitees also included soldiers involved in Operation Pitting, the UK’s evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan.
Much like the Duchess of Cornwall and Countess of Wessex in recent times, Kate is routinely undertaking solo engagements, with royal-watchers praising her regal but relatable approach. The three were also widely applauded for stepping up in the Queen’s absence during Remembrance Sunday commemorations in November. If the monarchy must continue to evolve in order to thrive, the qualities we’re seeing from Kate and the other senior women of the family are important. They have brought a real-world awareness to the firm and are drawing on their own experiences as “commoners.” A tradition many royal-watchers wait for at this time of the year is the release of the annual Christmas cards. William and Kate were first off the block, dropping a delightful family photo of mom and dad surrounded by their three kids. According to Kensington Palace, the photograph was taken earlier this year in Jordan, a previously unknown vacation that the family managed to sneak away for. The Queen's getting busy again, despite the doctor's advice to rest. Queen Elizabeth II didn't make it to the Duchess of Cambridge's carol concert but she's certainly not taking it easy back in Windsor. On the same day as Kate's festive service, the 95-year-old monarch carried out six engagements (three video calls, two face-to-face meetings and her weekly audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson). The busy day comes nearly a month after she had to cancel an appearance at the national Remembrance Sunday service. She's been undertaking light duties while resting outside London but the packed schedule shows it's back to business, albeit without any travel amid her government's latest guidance to work from home once more. William opens Kensington Palace up to teen heroes. The Duke of Cambridge welcomed teenage award-winners to Kensington Palace this week in recognition of “their dedication to helping others through their selfless, brave and exceptional achievements.” BBC Radio 1’s Teen Heroes is a yearly celebration of young people who have gone above and beyond for others. This year’s winners included a 17-year-old who helped an individual in danger of taking their own life, a 14-year-old fundraiser for bereavement causes and a 19-year-old carer who is also studying to become a nurse. It’s the fifth year William has invited youngsters to the royal home to congratulate the winners personally.
Prince Charles looked on gleefully while attending an advent service at Holy Trinity Brompton church on Thursday in London. His wife has also been bringing the holiday cheer this week. Camilla visited a school in the capital to switch on their festive lights. She's also set to welcome kids from two children's organizations of which she is patron -- Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity -- to Clarence House, where they will decorate the Christmas tree and receive "a few festive surprises."
Prince William is taking listeners on a walk down memory lane after joining forces with Apple Fitness+ for a special festive episode of its "Time To Walk" audio series. The duke is understood to be a fan of the series and approached the company about getting involved in the project. He is hoping to encourage people to listen while taking a walk for their mental wellbeing over the Christmas period. In the episode, William cringes over a moment he once shared with Taylor Swift, some of his favorite tunes and car rides with his mom and Harry. Read the full story.
"To all those who have not yet had the vaccine -- or are hesitating before getting a booster -- we can only urge you to look at the evidence in our intensive care wards and listen to those who work there. People who are unvaccinated are at least 10 times more likely to be hospitalised or die than those who have had two vaccine doses. That is why we urge everyone to get vaccinated and to take up the booster, as we have done ourselves."
– Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall issue a plea for people to take up coronavirus vaccinations and boosters The couple released a statement on Wednesday, marking one year since the administration of the world's first coronavirus vaccine. They congratulated the UK's National Health Service scientists, volunteers and workers on this "extraordinary achievement" before calling on the public to get vaccinated. The world's first Covid-19 vaccine dose was administered to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan in the UK on December 8 in 2020, nine months after the World Health Organization declared the global pandemic.
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