The Princess of Wales is hosting her annual Christmas carol concert at the iconic London venue, with guests including dignitaries, stars, and everyday helpers who have made a difference in their neighbourhoods.
The large audience will enjoy a mix of carols, music and readings from performers including award-winning actors.
The focus of the event, held in the candle-lit Abbey on Friday, is kindness and showing love to others.
Among the guests will be a couple named the Cordiners, whose young girl was lost to a tumour, and who founded an organisation, a support fund, to aid parents with a child with a terminal illness.
"The time, care and compassion you give, often without fanfare or recognition, and without any expectation or recognition, make an remarkable change to the circumstances of individuals," Her Royal Highness stated in a letter ahead of the concert.
The Princess of Wales is continuing her own measured re-emergence to official duties following her health challenges and treatment, recently giving her initial major address in two years, in which she discussed recognising the "quiet, often invisible work of caring".
Guests arriving at the Abbey will enjoy performances from talented youth performers backed by the Future Talent charity, set up with the help of the former royal to increase availability of music lessons.
Carys Wood, aged 18, who is a trumpet player and is from southwest Wales, has been supported by the trust, with funding assisting with instruments, tuition, and transportation expenses - and she said it was "amazing" to be playing at the evening's event.
"Music can be very expensive," the musician remarked. She is now enrolled at the renowned conservatoire, and added that "each individual ought to be given the possibility" to hone their artistic talents.
Her younger sibling Eliza, aged 11, who performs on the brass instrument, will also be at the Abbey. "I never thought I'd be able to play there in front of so many notable figures," she said.
Among the guests will be people from various age groups.
That will include Saphia Turner, aged nine, honouree of a young hero award, who sells artwork and carries out sponsored challenges to generate funds for local food charities.
The Abbey has been decorated with handcrafted festive wreaths, with celebrity baker Mary Berry and floral designer Simon Lycett assisting in their creation.
The musical lineup includes recording artist Katie Melua, choristers from Westminster Abbey and a nautical singing ensemble, the Fisherman's Friends, who said the invitation to sing was "a dream come true."
This annual carol service will be televised and shown on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
Award-winning investigative journalist with over 15 years of experience covering political and social issues across Europe.
Alexandra James
Alexandra James
Alexandra James
Alexandra James
Alexandra James
Alexandra James