Dressed in a sharp military uniform, with a light ginger beard and a cheerful expression, one of the attendees spotted arriving at Westminster Abbey for the Princess of Wales’ carol concert—airing tonight on ITV—bore an uncanny resemblance to a well-known royal figure.
Viewers with a keen eye might momentarily think that Prince William and Prince Harry had reconciled for the holidays, given the striking likeness between the Duke of Sussex and an unidentified airman attending Kate’s festive event.
The cheerful lookalike of Prince Harry made an appearance in the trailer for the ‘Together At Christmas’ concert, which premiered last week in anticipation of the ITV broadcast on Christmas Eve.
Dressed in a Royal Air Force ceremonial uniform, a man resembling Prince Harry makes a striking appearance 35 seconds into the footage, looking uncannily similar to the Duke of Sussex.
Meanwhile, the real Prince Harry is spending a “quiet” Christmas thousands of miles away at his California home with Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
The resemblance to King Charles’s youngest son, 40, who remains largely estranged from the royal family, extends beyond facial features—the military man shares Harry’s stature and build.
The appearance of the doppelgänger highlights the absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from Kate’s carol concert and the royal family’s Christmas celebrations, marking yet another year of strained relations.
For families gathered on Christmas Eve, The Princess of Wales’ carol concert promises to be a regal delight when it airs to the nation this evening.
Kate Middleton hosted the annual festive concert at Westminster Abbey for the fourth time, with this year’s event carrying special significance as the 42-year-old royal continues her recovery from cancer. Prince William has called 2024 “probably the hardest year of my life.”
The concert, titled Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, was filmed on December 6th and is set to air at 7:30 PM on Christmas Eve on ITV1 and ITVX.
Royal watchers can look forward to seeing the Princess of Wales joined by Prince William, also 42, and their three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. Additionally, sharp-eyed viewers will spot numerous members of the royal family who attended the event to show their support for Kate.
The Middleton family, who have been a constant source of support for Kate during her illness, were present in full force. However, King Charles and Queen Camilla were notably absent, as the filming coincided with Camilla’s recovery from a viral chest infection.
This concert marked one of Kate’s rare public appearances this year. Earlier in 2024, she underwent a preventative chemotherapy treatment. Despite her health challenges, the mother-of-three remained deeply involved in organizing the service, holding regular planning meetings at Windsor to ensure every detail was perfect.
On the day the event was filmed, the Princess arrived solo at 4 PM to inspect Westminster Abbey and finalize last-minute preparations.
The Princess received support from various members of the royal family in bringing her vision to life. King Charles contributed Christmas trees, while Prince Louis added a personal touch by penning a heartfelt note, making the service a festive success.
For the occasion, the Princess of Wales donned an elegant red Alexander McQueen coat with a striking black bow, paired with black Ralph Lauren boots, showcasing her impeccable style during the celebration.
This year’s ‘Together at Christmas’ concert revolves around the theme of love and empathy, a fitting choice given the challenges the Princess has faced throughout the year.
The concert will open with a special festive message from the Princess, delivered as a voiceover, where she reflects on the importance of love and empathy.
In her heartfelt message, the Princess of Wales encourages people to “slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all” and to choose “love, not fear.” This message, originally included in a letter given to each guest at the December 6 concert and 15 regional community services, will also be featured as a voiceover in the event’s broadcast.
Kate shared, “Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it’s also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.
“It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.
“The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.”
She continued, “The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.
“It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives.”
Following her words, Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald will narrate the broadcast of Kate’s annual festive gathering. It will “feature three special community films which bring to life the stories of people and organisations who have inspired, counselled and comforted others in their times of need.”
