ITV's broadcast of the annual Royal Christmas carol service on Christmas Eve sparked a wave of criticism from viewers, despite a heartwarming highlight from the Princess of Wales and her daughter. The pre-recorded "Royal Carols: Together at Christmas," hosted by Catherine, Princess of Wales from Westminster Abbey, presented a mix of traditional sentiment and contemporary musical choices that divided the audience.
Modern Renditions Meet Traditional Expectations
While the 43-year-old Princess of Wales presided over the event with support from other royals, the musical performances by singers Katie Melua and Dan Smith became a focal point for discontent. Melua delivered an updated version of Bing Crosby's classic "White Christmas" from 1954, while Dan Smith, lead singer of Bastille, performed a modern take on "O Holy Night."
For many tuning in at home, these interpretations missed the mark. Social media platform X was flooded with complaints from viewers who felt the classic carols had been poorly treated. One user criticised, "Just what we need. Katie Melua mangling White Christmas," questioning the need to rewrite established music. Another viewer was scathing about Smith's performance, calling it a "massacre" of their favourite carol and labelling the version "dreadful."
A Royal Duet Steals Hearts and Draws Tears
In stark contrast to the musical criticism, one segment of the hour-long broadcast received universal acclaim. Princess Catherine and her ten-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, performed a piano duet, playing a piece called "Holm Sound" by Erland Cooper from 2020. The pre-recorded moment, which opened the concert, featured a voiceover from the Princess about the meaning of Christmas.
Viewers expressed being deeply moved by the intimate mother-daughter performance. Responses on social media described the duet as "lovely," "incredibly thoughtful," and "so beautiful." One viewer admitted the segment left them "quite tearful," while others praised it as a "gorgeous vision" of family unity. The Royal Family had teased the performance beforehand on Instagram, simply captioning a preview "A special duet..."
Family Unity and Lasting Impressions
The concert also provided a rare glimpse of the Prince and Princess of Wales's complete family unit, including their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Fans noted the "wonderful example of family unity & love" they presented. The younger Prince Louis, known for his playful antics at public events, had charmed audiences during the 2023 service by blowing out his sister's candle.
Ultimately, the ITV broadcast underscored the challenges of modernising a deeply traditional festive event. While the royal family's personal contributions, particularly the Princess of Wales's piano skills passed to her daughter, resonated powerfully with the public, the experimental musical acts proved a sour note for many seeking a more conventional Christmas experience.
