She was joined by her children, Columbus, Cassius, Eloise and Estella, who all appeared in excellent spirits as they arrived alongside their mother. The Kent family were well represented: Prince Michael of Kent was in attendance, as was his son, Lord Frederick Windsor, who was joined by his wife, Lady Frederick Windsor (perhaps better known as Sophie Winkleman) and their two daughters, Maud and Isabella.

This year’s concert, which will be broadcast as part of a special Christmas Eve programme on ITV1 and ITVX, was extra special as Kate Middleton paid tribute to the late Duchess of Kent, who died this year. Before guests entered the Abbey, they enjoyed music by young performers from Future Talent; a charity co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to support musically-gifted children from low-income backgrounds. (Learn more about her remarkable life and legacy in Tatler’s January issue, on newsstands now).

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Lady Helen was joined by her daughters, Eloise and Estella, at the starry gathering on Friday night

Karwai Tang

Together at Christmas brought people together to celebrate love in all its forms, whether it’s love within families, through friendships, across communities, or even through powerful moments of connection with strangers. ‘In a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, love is the force that reconnects us all – spanning generations, communities, cultures, and faiths,’ Kensington Palace explained in a statement announcing the concert. ‘As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of the power of togetherness. The evening will highlight the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence, and joy.’

As always, some of music’s biggest names gathered alongside the royal family to celebrate Kate’s carol concert, alongside celebrities including Hannah Waddingham, Dan Smith and Chiwetel Ejiofor.