The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte showcased their musical talents with a piano duet during a Christmas carol service.
While the pair did not perform live at the “Together at Christmas” event held earlier this month at Westminster Abbey, their collaborative piece was a highlight of the televised broadcast.
The performance, featuring a composition by Scottish composer Erland Cooper, was pre-recorded at Windsor Castle the week prior, specifically for the Christmas Eve broadcast on ITV1.
Kensington Palace had previously teased the segment, releasing a video of Catherine and a then-unidentified individual playing the piano, captioned “a special duet…”.
The clip revealed the mother and daughter seated together at the piano, performing “Holm Sound,” a piece reportedly well-known to them and enjoyed in their home.
The Princess of Wales played using her left hand, while Princess Charlotte played with her right, in Windsor Castle’s Inner Hall.
The performance was interspersed with footage of guests arriving at the carol service, including the Prince of Wales and Catherine observing their children placing personalized paper chains on a “Connection Tree” outside the abbey.
This is not the first time the Princess of Wales, who holds a grade three piano and grade five theory certification, has performed at the carol service.
During the inaugural event in 2021, she surprised the audience by accompanying singer-songwriter Tom Walker on piano for his Christmas song, “For Those Who Can’t Be Here.”
This year’s theme, “power of love and togetherness,” aimed to honor individuals across the country who contribute to society, recognizing the importance of love in a world that can often feel fragmented.
Sources indicate that the Princess of Wales included the performance to emphasize the significance of human connection.
“The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others,” the Princess wrote in a letter accompanying the order of service.
In addition to the mother-daughter duet, the event, attended by 1,600 guests ranging from royals to celebrities and community heroes, incorporated both traditional and modern elements to appeal to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Poetry readings were delivered by actors Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, with musical performances by artists such as Katie Melua, Dan Smith, and Zac Abel.
The Prince of Wales delivered a Bible reading from the pulpit.
Princess Charlotte and her brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, were also present at the service.
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A post shared on Kensington Palace’s social media reads: “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.”
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