Princess of Wales describes 'power of reaching out' in festive message

The Princess of Wales has written about the importance of "small acts of care" at a time "when life can sometimes feel fragmented or uncertain", ahead of her fifth annual Christmas carol service.

In the letter, which will be given to members of the congregation at Westminster Abbey on Friday evening and at services held in other parts of the country, she sets out the meaning of this year's theme, the importance of love.

Kate writes: "At a time when life can sometimes feel fragmented or uncertain, the Christmas season invites us to remember the power of reaching out to one another with generosity of heart, understanding and hope."

Emphasising how seemingly small, but important, those acts of kindness can be, she adds: "At its heart, Christmas speaks of love taking form in the simplest, most human ways. Not in sentimental or grand gestures, but gentle ones.

"A moment of listening, a word of comfort, a friendly conversation, a helping hand, presence. These simple acts of care might seem small, but they contribute to the beautiful tapestry of life to which we all belong."

Kate will be joined by Prince William for the Together at Christmas service, along with other members of the royal family among the 1,600 guests at Westminster Abbey.

There will be music from performers including Hannah Waddingham, Bastille's Dan Smith, Griff, Katie Melua and Cornish folk group, Fisherman's Friends.

Speakers include actors Kate Winslet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joe Locke and comedian Babatunde Aleshe.

In London and the 15 other towns and cities across the UK where events will take place, the congregations will be made up of invited guests who have gone above and beyond to help their communities.

Praising their selfless efforts to support others, the princess stresses in her letter how Christmas is a time to remember how powerful their work really is.

"Even with all the rushing around and familiar traditions, there is a quieter sense of what it calls out in us," she writes. "There is a softness to the season that reminds us of something easy to forget; that what we do matters.

"Our words, our choices, and even the ways we look out for one another - they ripple outward, touching lives we may never see".

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The other services will be held in Armagh, Berkshire, Derbyshire, Dumfries, Dyfed, East Riding, Gwent, Greater Manchester, Isle of Wight, Lanarkshire, Nottinghamshire, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Worcestershire and will be hosted by lord-lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation.

The Westminster Abbey service is to air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve and will be repeated on Christmas Day.

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