Catherine, Princess of Wales confirms return of annual Christmas concert with homage to cause close to royal's heart

Catherine, Princess of Wales will be taking the chance to thank those who are involved with bringing a new baby into the world at Christmas this year.

This year's edition of the royal's Christmas Carols concert at Westminster Abbey will be in honour of all the people who work hard to ensure that the critical period early childhood creates a solid foundation for the rest of their lives.

The historic venue will this year be filled with inspiring individuals and families from all over the UK, including midwives, health visitors, early years practitioners, nursery teachers and community volunteers, as well as members of the royal family.

Also being welcomed are children and families who may have had a challenging year or have found the winter period difficult.

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They will be treated to performances by guests including Beverley Knight, Adam Lambert, Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings and James Bay, as well as of course the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir.

Catherine is also inviting the wider public to join them in the festivities, with the concert being broadcast on British TV channels ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.

Early childhood services have been a focus area for the Princess of Wales, with the mother-of-three having launched the Shaping Us campaign in January this year, as well as founding the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021.

With this event, Catherine wants to "showcase the hope of new life and why it is so important to build supportive, nurturing worlds around children and the adults in their lives," read a press release from Kensington Palace.

"We know that the foundations we lay in early childhood shape the rest of our lives and the adults we become. This special time in a child's earliest years, from pregnancy to the age of five, provides a unique chance to build resilience, happiness, and health for the future."