ITV has confirmed it will host a special Christmas carol service led by the Duchess of Cambridge in a snub to the BBC.
The event, hosted by Kate and supported by the Royal Foundation, will celebrate the work of “individuals and organisations” across the country who have “stepped up to support their communities during the pandemic”.
The Westminster Abbey event was reportedly due to be hosted by the BBC, but the plans were given to ITV after the corporation sparked a furious row with Buckingham Palace over a documentary examining the relationship between Princes William and Harry and the media.
BBC Two’s The Princes And The Press, presented by Amol Rajan, was criticised by the royal households for giving credibility to “overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources”.
The event will be broadcast on December 8, and is being developed with BBC Studios Events Productions but broadcast on ITV.
1/ This Christmas we are celebrating the incredible work of individuals and organisations across the nation who go above and beyond to support their communities. pic.twitter.com/KcCzvK47Ze
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) November 30, 2021
A Westminster Abbey choir will deliver carols alongside readings and musical performances by a variety of guests.
Kate, 39, shared a photo on Instagram of the invitations sent out to guests on Tuesday, including charity workers and teachers.
She wrote in the caption: “This Christmas we are celebrating the incredible work of individuals and organisations across the nation who go above and beyond to support their communities.
“Next week, The Duchess will host a Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, supported by The Royal Foundation, bringing many of those inspirational people together.
“The service, which will be broadcast in December, will look back on the last eighteen months, to think not only of the unprecedented challenges that we have all faced as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to remember the positives: people and organisations pulling together in their communities, the small acts of kindness across different demographics and generations, and the unsung heroes who stepped up to help others.”
