The Princess of Wales brushed shoulders with some very famous faces who were guests at her Christmas carol service this evening.

Kate 41, stunned in a cream jumper paired with £299 wide-leg Holland Cooper trousers and a stunning bespoke coat from Catherine Walker as she arrived at the venue, where she is hosting her third annual Together at Christmas event at Westminster Abbey.

The royal mother-of-three accessorised with a white handbag from Strathberry and £6,000 dangling earrings from Van Cleef and Arpels, plus nude pumps. She wore her thick brunette locks in loose curls as they cascaded down her shoulders.

Despite a difficult few weeks for the royal family in which a race row was reignited by author Omid Scobie in his book Endgame, Kate glowed as she smiled on the way into the Abbey.

And her smile widened even further as she greeted some very famous faces who had joined her to celebrate the occasion – including esteemed actress Sheila Hancock, radio presenter Roman Kemp and his mother Shirley, and former American Idol winner Adam Lambert.

The carol service will recognise the selfless efforts of communities throughout the UK, highlighting the importance of coming together to support one another – and it will also feature a surprise performance from piano playing Kate, who will treat guests to a rendition of Last Christmas by Wham!.

The performance will likely be well received by Shirley Kemp, who was one half of Pepsi and Shirley, who performed with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! during the 1980s.

Ahead of the service, Kate crouched down to chat to seven-year-old Oscar Burrow, from Lancaster, who when aged six climbed 12 mountains raising more than £40,000 for Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire.

His mother Kimberley Burrow said afterwards: ‘She said she’d heard about what he’s done and he’s doing a fantastic job, and hopes what he’s doing will inspire other children to do amazing things.’

Spearheaded by the Princess, tonight’s concert will combine both traditional and modern elements, reaching people of all faiths and none.

The service, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, will then be shown on ITV on Christmas Eve.

Last week royal author Omid Scobie published his book Endgame about the royals in recent years, including Harry and Meghan’s leaving for America.

The book rehashed a story from 2021 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made claims in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that someone in the royal family had raised ‘concerns’ about the colour of Prince Archie’s skin before he was born.

Although the UK version of the book did not name anyone involved in the alleged incident, the Dutch version was pulled from shelves and pulped after its translation appeared to name the royals alleged to have had such conversations.

Media organisations around the world last week named the royals as the Princess of Wales and King Charles.

Despite the fallout from the row, Kate has carried out several royal engagements in the past week and brushed off any allegations.

Last night, beaming Kate posed in front of a Christmas tree for the carol service promotional clip on Thursday, sporting a £420 Self Portrait sequin jacket. The textured white jacket featured buttons, as well as a pearl trim on its pockets and collar.

For last year’s carol service promo, Kate was shown trimming a Christmas tree in a £179 Fair Isle Jumper from Holland Cooper jumper.

Tonight’s carol service will see the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir perform some of the nation’s most beloved carols, alongside musical performances by guests including Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings and James Bay, and a special duet from Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert.

Poignant readings will be delivered by speakers including Prince William, Micheal Ward, Emma Willis, Roman Kemp, and Jim Broadbent.

A specially commissioned poem written by Joseph Coelho, the Children’s Laureate, will also be read by Leonie Elliott.

The broadcast of tonight’s service on Christmas Eve will feature an introduction from Kate and films which bring to life the importance of early childhood and celebrate the remarkable contribution people in our communities are making to support the very youngest members of our society during those crucial early years.

These will include contributions from Rio and Kate Ferdinand, Ugo Monye, Andrea & Virginia Bocelli and Dame Sheila Hancock.

The service will see Westminster Abbey filled with sustainable, eco-friendly festive decorations, providing a beautiful Christmas backdrop, nodding to the theme of children and families.

New features this year include a Christmas Post Box located outside the Abbey for children to send handmade Christmas cards and best wishes to other children who might be struggling this year.

In addition, guests will be treated to carols and Christmas songs upon arrival from the Action for Children Young Carers Aloud choir, made up of 12 young carers, the youngest of which is just six years old.

Guests attending the service have been nominated by Lord-Lieutenants across the nation, in addition to charities associated with Members of the Royal Family.

They will be joined by those working in the early years space which is a key focus area of The Princess of Wales’s work through The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

It will also consist of those who may have had a challenging year, including children and families, or those who might find the winter period difficult.

Royal Carols: Together at Christmas will be broadcast on Christmas Eve at 7.45pm on ITV1 and ITVX.