Emotional tributes paid to the late Queen Elizabeth II during Saturday's special show Royal Carols: Together at Christmas left viewers emotional. Pictures of the Queen featured throughout the service, including one projected onto a piano.
The special service began with a touching tribute to the Queen from Princess of Wales, which left viewers moved. Further tributes were also paid by guests at the service, which aired on ITV1 on Christmas Eve and was narrated by Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte sang in full voice at the event. The future king and his younger sister held candles as they joined the congregation for the festive evening at Westminster Abbey earlier this month.
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George and Charlotte were among more than 1,800 people at the televised service. Kate was seen at one point with a comforting arm around Charlotte’s shoulder, while the Prince of Wales placed a guiding hand on his son George’s back.
Kate dedicated the carol service to the late Queen, paying tribute to her “incredible legacy” which she said had “deeply inspired many of us”.
Introducing the programme, Kate, who spearheaded the service with support from The Royal Foundation, said she was “thrilled” to return to the abbey for a second year.
She said: “This Christmas will be our first without Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion.
“This year, we’ve invited hundreds of inspiring individuals to the service. Those who showcase the power of connectedness and community values, allowing us to continue Her Majesty’s tradition of recognising and thanking those who have gone above and beyond to support others.
“Her Majesty leaves with us an incredible legacy and one that has deeply inspired many of us.”
During the service, images of the late Queen through the ages appeared on a grand piano during an instrumental version of In The Bleak Midwinter.
The Princess of Wales on the first Christmas without Queen Elizabeth II
Viewers took to Twitter over the service, with many admitting to being "in bits" and "sobbing" throughout, the Mirror reports.
One viewer said: "This has been a beautiful carol service, everyone coming together with love and compassion to celebrate Christmas and remember the Queen. Catherine should be proud of putting this together and would've made the Queen proud."
Another viewer tweeted: "Such a beautiful lady #KateMiddleton tonight’s #royalcarols #togetheratchristmas was wonderful and lovely tributes to our late Queen."
A third viewer said: "Just watched #RoyalCarols there were a few tears, a lovely service with memories of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth entwined throughout." Another added: "Honestly this is making me a little emotional the tribute to the Queen and then St Mary’s choir had me in bits," as a fifth said: "Sat here blubbing now."
A sixth viewer commented: "Watching #royalcarols the tribute piece to the late Majesty the Queen is beautiful. Think HRH the princess of Wales did a fabulous job... classic and timeless yet heart-warming and touching."
The service was attended by a host of members of the royal family including the King and Queen Consort, the Countess of Wessex, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie as well as Zara and Mike Tindall.
Among the performers were the Westminster Abbey choir, singer Craig David and Alfie Boe and Melanie C who sang a duet, while William and Dame Kristin Scott Thomas delivered readings.
A Christmas tree in the abbey was decorated with small Paddington Bear decorations, a nod to the late Queen’s famous sketch, while guests were greeted with atmospheric snowflakes from a snow machine as they arrived at the entrance.
The service took place on December 15, just hours after the final part of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial documentary dropped on Netflix.
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