The Princess of Wales and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, have delivered a heart-warming musical surprise, performing a 'special' piano duet for a star-studded Christmas carol concert. The stunning performance formed the opening segment of Kate's 'Together at Christmas' programme, which aired on ITV1 and ITVX from 7.25pm on Christmas Eve.
A Mother-Daughter Musical Moment
The royal duet delighted viewers as the programme began. For their performance, Kate, 43, and ten-year-old Charlotte played 'Holm Sound' by Scottish composer Erland Cooper. Cooper, from the Orkney Islands, creates work inspired by nature and human connection, themes deeply important to the Princess of Wales. Notably, the piece was written and composed by Erland for his own mother, who is also named Charlotte.
The special moment was recorded last week in the Inner Hall at Windsor Castle, with the composer himself present on the day. The performance was shown alongside a voiceover of Kate reading the letter given to guests at Westminster Abbey for the service on December 5, and footage of arrivals.
A Cryptic Tease and a Message of Togetherness
The Prince and Princess of Wales' joint Instagram account teased the duet earlier on Christmas Eve with a cryptic clip. The video panned across a festively decorated room to focus on two hands resting on a piano, one adorned with a large ring, captioned simply: 'A special duet...'.
In her voiceover, Kate shared a poignant reflection on the season. She described Christmas as speaking of "love taking form in the simplest most human ways," through gentle acts like a moment of listening, a word of comfort, or a helping hand. She emphasised the "invisible but vital" bonds that unite people, stating, "Christmas is a time which reminds us how deeply our lives are woven together."
Kate expressed hope that the season would bring "moments of peace and clarity" and thanked viewers for "the warmth you have given and the kindness you have shown." Actress Vicky McClure then narrated the rest of the service following Kate's introduction.
A Continuing Royal Musical Tradition
This is not the first time the Princess of Wales has showcased her piano skills at a festive concert. In 2021, she performed at Westminster Abbey, accompanying singer Tom Walker on his Christmas single 'For Those Who Can't Be Here' by candlelight. Onlookers at the time noted how she seemed to channell her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who famously played the piano during a 1988 visit to Australia.
The 2024 concert also featured community films, including one focusing on an artist from Fleetwood, Lancashire, who hosts a Christmas dinner for those alone, and another involving students from London's Platinum Performing Arts.
New pictures released from the December 5 service at Westminster Abbey showed the close bond within the Wales family. Princess Charlotte, in a navy dress, stayed close to her mother, while sweet snaps captured Prince Louis sharing an adorable moment with Kate as she helped him balance a candle. The whole family attended in coordinating navy and green outfits, showing their support for the Princess's annual initiative, now in its fifth year.
