Royal family recap: Princess Kate and family attend carol concert, Meghan reaches out to estranged father

This week's episode of the Right Roya Podcast also asks: Are the Duke and Duchess gearing up to co-host a new show in America?

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Things are definitely different in California, as it has emerged that thr Duchess of Sussex has reached out to her estranged father Thomas Markle after his hospitalization.

A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex told HELLO!: "I can confirm she has reached out to her father." However it remains unclear whether the father and daughter did have a conversation.

Read the full story here.

Thomas had been rushed into emergency surgery and required operations to remove a blood clot. He has since had part of his leg amputated.

The father and daughter have been estranged since 2018, although we do know that Meghan has attempted to reach out to Thomas in the past.

After a wonderful night full of joy and celebrations, we're logging off in London and handing over to Rebecca Lewis in Los Angeles. 

HELLO!'s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, has been mulling over what felt so special about the 2025 edition of the carol concert, and how it reflects the Prince and Princess of Wales' "fresh" take on the monarchy.

She writes: "There were plenty of modern twists on this very traditional service too, which gives you an insight into the way that William and Kate approach their roles - they care about the importance of tradition but want to bring in fresh elements which will resonate with a wider audience.

"Fittingly for the future head of the Church of England, the Prince gave a Bible reading about the birth of Christ. But it followed non-religious readings and reflections.  

"Alongside the soaring organ music and angelic voices of choristers, pop singers including the Bastille frontman Dan Smith and Griff sang, and young dancers from Platinum Perfomers, a performing arts group based in Edmonton, north London, weaved their way down the aisle. Their smiles were so infectious they were given a spontaneous round of applause."

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The Princess of Wales' former stylist, Natasha Archer, was among the 1,600 guests at Westminster Abbey. The fashion expert took to social media to share a behind-the-scenes look at the festivities. Natasha was an invaluable member of the royal household for 15 years, but confirmed she was departing her post earlier this year.

Princess Eugenie sadly missed the Princess of Wales' annual Together for Christmas carol concert. Following the event, the youngest daughter of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson spoke out on Instagram, co-penning the message on behalf of her sister Princess Beatrice, who has no public-facing social media accounts. 

On her Instagram, she wrote: "Wish Bea and I could have been celebrating tonight with our family. Wishing @princeandprincessofwales such a special evening at her incredible carol service. What an amazing message of hope." 

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Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet delivered a poignant, personally-penned reading at The Princess of Wales' carol service, written specifically at the request of the royal's staff to reflect the event's theme of 'Love'.

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Kate's reading in full

"At this special time of year, we’re reminded that love takes many forms — in families, in friendship, in the simple act of being there for one another. Those connections — with neighbours, friends, and even strangers — lift our communities and make others feel like they belong. We all deserve to belong. Especially now, when so many are in need of kindness and understanding, a kind word or a shared meal — can mean more than we’ll ever know.

"Love doesn’t always arrive wrapped in ribbons. Love can be expressed in how we treat one another, with kindness and grace. It’s in the laughter shared across a table, a handheld in comfort, the courage to reach out to someone who might otherwise be alone. Christmas is about giving. But maybe we can think about being ‘present’ as our Christmas present to those we love and to those who need to feel comforted and heard.

"We can choose to show up for others. And when we choose to connect, to show that we care, we become part of something so much greater than ourselves.  Perhaps we can use our hearts and minds to see more clearly at Christmas: a reminder that even in the coldest season, when the days feel shorter and the nights are darker, the love that we show to others can light up the world around us, and give warmth to the coldest corners of the world. 

"Bring joy, where you can. It’s sometimes as simple as offering a smile, a hug, and kind word. I'd like to use the words of Henry Drummond, from his book The Greatest Thing in the World: "You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love."

The Wales children walked over to the Connection Tree, where guests had been invited to add their own named loop onto a paper chain adorning the tree, symbolising the power of togetherness and the importance of moments of connection with one another.

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While we were hoping to see King Charles and Queen Camilla make an appearance tonight, the monarch doesn't typically attend. The monarch and his wife have only attended the event once in the five years since its inception, back in 2022. 

The Princess of Wales took to X to pen a personal message after the concert concluded. How adorable is this photograph of little Louis smiling? 

The moment Princess Kate came face-to-face with actor Eugene Levy was caught on camera inside the service. The Schitt's Creek star memorably invited Prince William to take part in his Apple+ show, The Reluctant Traveler - and the pair shared a surprisingly candid conversation. 

"I had a lovely day with your husband," he told her. "I hope he looked after you," the princess said. Check out the full conversation in the intimate video below...

Our Royal Editor, Emily Nash, was lucky enough to be among the 1,600 guests attending the Together at Christmas service. She tells us her thoughts, live from Westminster Abbey. 

"Over five years now, the Princess has pulled off a wonderful festive treat for her guests and somehow this one felt more personal than ever... 

"Every detail of this now annual event had been thoughtfully planned and executed to perfection - from the magical wonderland-style naturescape at the entrance, consisting of woodland trees interwoven with Christmas trees and decorated with fruits and berries, to the coloured paper strips on which we wrote our names, to be added to a paper chain decorating a 'Connection Tree'."

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How lovely is this photograph of Princess Charlotte stealing a look at her big brother George? It is the first time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King’s birthday parade, in June. 

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Fresh from her royal engagement earlier in the day, Duchess Sophie underwent a quick change and rushed over to Westminster Abbey to show her support for the Princess of Wales. Looking lovely in a burgundy coat layered over a vibrant patterned dress, the royal attended solo without her husband, Prince Edward.

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Lady Helen Taylor, the daughter of the Duchess of Kent who was by her side until the end, was in attendance. The ceremony will have been extra emotional for the family of the late royal.

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It was no surprise to see Carole and Michael Middleton showing their support for their daughter at her 2025 carol concert. The family makes a tradition of attending the celebration, and this year, brother James Middleton and his wife Alizee Thevenet were the guests of honour. 

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The Prince and Princess of Wales' children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have arrived, looking like the perfect little helpers. The youngsters were ushered into Westminster Abbey alongside their parents. Check out the moment in the video below. 

Zara and Mike Tindall were spotted chatting with Hannah Waddingham, who sadly had to pull out of her performance at the carol concert due to her demanding work schedule.

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Prince Michael of Kent has arrived at the concert. This will be an emotional occasion for him and his family, being the first concert since it's the first year the family as it's the first concert following the death of the Duchess of Kent.

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Kate never fails to look wonderfully festive for her annual concert. This year, she chose to wear an almost full-length coat, designed by, arguably, her favourite fashion designer, Cathrine Walker, to which she added a fur stole by Troy London. The future Queen, 43,  also added diamond, shoulder-grazing drop earrings. It appeared that Kate also chose to rock a tartan skirt underneath her stylish coat.

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This year will feature poignant readings linked to the theme of love, compassion and connection, with the Prince of Wales, Kate Winslet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Babatunde Aléshé and Joe Locke billed to speak at the festive soiree. There will also be performances from the likes of Dan Smith, Griff, Katie Melua and Cornish folk music group, Fisherman's Friends.

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Our Royal Editor, Emily Nash, is attending the concert this evening so stay tuned for all the updates!

Please see below a beautiful video of the aforementioned  Future Talent, a charity co-founded by the Late Duchess of Kent, performing for guests as they arrive.

Guests at tonight's carol concert will be serenaded by young performers from Future Talent, the charity co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent, who sadly passed away aged 92 this year. Danielle Stacey, HELLO!'s Online Royal Correspondent, explained the meaning behind this "touching" nod from Princess Kate."

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The Waleses and the Kents share a lot of common interests – from music to tennis – so it's very touching that the Princess of Wales has included this tribute to the late Duchess of Kent in her carol service this year," she explained."The theme of the concert is to celebrate love in all its forms, and I think it shows how dear the Duchess was to the royal family and speaks to her own warm and kind nature. 

The Duchess was renowned for her compassion, including comforting a tearful Jana Novotná at Wimbledon in 1993. Similarly, the Princess of Wales is known for having a quiet confidence and genuinely cares about the causes she's connected with and the people she meets."

On arrival at the Abbey, guests will be welcomed with music by eight young performers aged between13 and 18 from Future Talent, a charity co-founded by the Late Duchess of Kent to support musicallygifted children from low-income backgrounds. They will be performing as a brass ensemble speciallybrought together for the event.

The Duke of Kent joined German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender on the final day of their three-day state visit.

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Prince Edward, 90, travelled to Coventry, which was twinned with Kiel and Dresden in Germany over their shared experience of bombardment during the Second World War.

The President and the Duke laid a wreath in the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral, followed by a tour of the new cathedral and a prayer service highlighting the ministry's commitment to peace and reconciliation. The Duke's visit to the cathedral echoed one made by his uncle King George VI just two days after it was destroyed on 14 November 1940.

HELLO! understands that, sadly, Hannah Waddingham has had to drop out of singing at the concert this evening as her voice has been compromised due to her exhaustive schedule.

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She is expected to still join the congregation for this special festive event. She will be replaced by Zak Abel singing Silent Night.

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The state visit may be over, but our writer Tracy Schaverien was lucky enough to glimpse a preview of the glittering state banquet earlier this week, and she's written all about it over on The HELLO! Royal Club. 

If you want to find out what it was really like to be stood inside St George's Hall, Windsor Castle, read her post below.

And don't forget to join the Club for more exclusive interviews, features, videos and more!

Sophie's winter ensemble was a very glamorous one. The royal opted for a slick black coat and matching heeled suede boots. She accessorised her look with a brown scarf to battle the plummeting temperatures. 

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Under her winter coat, the Duchess, 60, chose a burgundy patterned dress and a classic pendant necklace.

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Duchess Sophie didn't let the rain deter her, the royal beaming as she stepped out with her umbrella!

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The Duchess of Edinburgh, in her role as Royal Colonel, 5th Battalion, the Rifles, paid a visit to their base at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire.

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Hello royal watchers, I will be taking over from Alex this afternoon.

On the cards, we have a special visit from the Duchess of Edinburgh ahead of the Princess of Wales' highly anticipated Carol Concert this evening.