The Prince and Princess of Wales have attended Westminster Abbey with their children for her annual carol service.
Video / AFP
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie did not attend the star-studded Christmas carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales.
The service at London’s Westminster Abbey this morning (NZT) was attended by 1600 guests, but Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s daughters were notable absences.
In a social media post, Eugenie said: “Wish Beaand 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 love and hope.”
Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, were unable to attend the service because of previous commitments, the Daily Mail reported.
Catherine personally invited her cousins-in-law in an effort to keep the family united amid the scandal surrounding Andrew, royal commentator Neil Sean told Fox News last month.
“The royal family wants to be seen as united amid what has been a very difficult year.”
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, seen with their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, did not attend the Princess of Wales' Christmas carol service. Photo / Zak Hussein, Corbis via Getty Images
The Princess of Wales’ annual carol concert, this year titled Together at Christmas, had the theme of showing kindness and love to others, the BBC reported.
Among the guests were Ted Lasso actor Hannah Waddingham, Titanic star Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor of Love Actually, 12 Years a Slave and American Gangster fame.
Other celebrities, royal family members, war veterans and local heroes who helped their communities were also in attendance, the outlet reported.
In a letter available to guests, Catherine mentioned how the festive season invites people to “remember the power of reaching out to one another”, despite how uncertain life may feel, the Daily Mail reported.
“This carol service offers a moment of collective togetherness, a chance to celebrate the spirit of community and service, and to honour the visible and invisible bonds that unite us all.
“The time, care and compassion you give, often quietly and unspoken, and without any expectation or recognition, make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others.”
