Together at Christmas 2024
As you all know, the Princess of Wales hosted her now annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, so I am preempting our usual Monday Memory in favor of that appearance.
It is hard to believe that we are on the cusp of a full year of Kate absent from the royal scene. This event was one of her last formal engagements in 2023. Seeing this same event mark what we believe is an accelerating (albeit slowly) return to the public eye is a hopeful conclusion to a hard year.
The Princess of Wales arrived solo to the event on Friday night, as she has in years past. It gives her the opportunity to handle the “professional” side before joining her sweet little family.
I guess we say it every year, but George is really stretching out, isn’t he?
This year, there was a large tree outside the Abbey where the children placed cards with messages of gratitude for people who have shown kindness. Louis’s was visible to long lenses—he is grateful for his grandparents who play games with him. :-) Kate and William already indicated how important Michael and Carole’s involvement with their family has been in the last year by featuring the Middletons playing games with the children in Kate’s chemo video. This is a further confirmation of what a strong support system they have been to the Wales children during Kate’s illness.
Kate wore a McQueen coat she has worn on several other occasions. She added the large velvet bow at the front, which multiple Kate-watchers think is likely a Beulah London piece. Although Kate never took off her coat, her Emilia Wickstead tartan skirt was visible peeking out from under the coat.
The Princess was wearing new earrings from Mulberry London and wore Ralph Lauren heeled boots in cozy black suede. Her Halcyon Days Salamander bracelet was also visible.
There are many elements that make this event very special, but one is certainly the large turnout from William’s and Kate’s families. I always love to see the Middletons out en masse, and they were all looking fabulous this year.
Carole was wearing a MaxMara coat Kate wore while pregnant; Pippa chose a past-season Karen Millen dress. They both looked fabulous! Alizée was repping the French in tip to toe Sézane and a Longchamp bag. Zara Tindall was in Veronica Beard while Beatrice was wearing a Hobbs London coat over Me + Em. There was a lot of velvet, and I loved it.
The pictures were wonderful. Although I anticipate seeing Kate at Sandringham on Christmas, this was such a beautiful close to Kate’s official 2024.
I think I mentioned this before, but for American readers, the Together at Christmas carol service is usually available on Amazon Prime and/or Britbox, so look for it there after it airs on Christmas Eve.
I pretty much adore Catherine and everything about her. But one of my favorites nuances is how her coats are exactly the right length. Never a gap of being too long or too short. I know she has people to do this for her, but she must be part of this attention to detail.
Lovely appearance. Kate looked very festive, with the black bow as a nod to the tribulations many of her guests (and herself) have been going through this year. I love that she tweaks combinations of old wardrobe items to make them look new. I liked the long suede boots.
Zara Tindall looked great in this year’s must have velvet trouser suit - I note Queens Mary, Letitia and Maxima also own different coloured ones.
Always good to see the royal children and see how they are growing. Apparently Kate told guests that Louis found out there were ballet dancers at the concert and she asked him to keep it a secret from Charlotte as a surprise for the ballet - mad princess, and, bless him, he managed to keep quiet for two weeks, even though he was bursting to tell his sister!