ED composite of Hannah Waddingham and Kate Middleton at different events
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Hannah Waddingham ‘pulls out’ of performance at Kate Middleton’s Christmas carol service

Hannah was due to perform at the Together at Christmas service

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Kate Middleton hosted her Christmas carol service on Friday, as she was joined by Prince William and their three children.

Kate’s Together at Christmas service took place at Westminster Abbey. It’s now in its fifth year after first taking place in 2021.

A host of guests attended the service, including actress Hannah Waddingham. However, she had to pull out of performing.

Hannah Waddingham smiling in gold dress
Hannah didn’t sing at the carol service on Friday (Credit: Cover Images)

Why Hannah Waddingham pulled out of Kate Middleton’s Christmas carol service

According to HELLO!, Hannah pulled out of performing at the service because “her singing voice has been compromised from an exhausting filming schedule”.

However, she still joined the congregation for the Princess of Wales’ festive event.

Kate Middleton stuns in green coat at Christmas carol service
The Princess of Wales looked stunning in green for the service (Credit: Photo by Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)

Hannah shares a good bond with Princess Kate as well as Prince William. The actress has supported the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot Prize initiative over the years.

Last December, Hannah joined William for a funny video to promote his environmental documentary, The Earthshot Report. A clip saw them play a game of darts!

Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George at Kate Middleton's Christmas carol service
Louis, Charlotte and George arrived with Prince William (Credit: Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com)

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attend service

Meanwhile, on Friday, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis were in attendance at the Christmas service.

George, 12, and Louis, seven, looked dapper in matching suits. Meanwhile, Charlotte, 10, coordinated her navy dress, which featured a white collar detail, with her brothers.

Charlotte also wore matching navy tights and navy shoes. She sweetly added a bow to her hair.

The children were seen arriving with dad William. The Prince of Wales wore a navy suit.

Body language expert weighs in

Meanwhile, speaking to the Mirror, body language expert Judi James weighed in on the family’s dynamic at the service.

She explained: “William and George are in choreographic lock-step as always, although William seems to be gently stepping back to allow George to take the lead more, rather than just sticking close to his father and copying him.

“George has looked slightly shy in the past and William’s technique here seems to be to gradually take the ‘stabilizers off’ by hanging back to allow George to walk ahead with authentic confidence rather than being nudged to the front.”

Kate Middleton smiling in red coat for Christmas carol service
The Princess of Wales at her Christmas carol service last year (Credit: Cover Images)

Princess Kate’s letter ahead of Christmas service

Earlier this week, Kate wrote a heartfelt letter ahead of her festive carol service.

The deeply personal letter will be shared with guests at Westminster Abbey and also 15 community carol services across the UK.

Her singing voice has been compromised from an exhausting filming schedule.

In part of the letter, the Princess of Wales said: “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. This Carol Service offers a moment of collective togetherness.

Read more: Kate Middleton performs stunning double curtsy to King Charles and Queen Camilla during state visit

“A chance to celebrate the spirit of community and service, and to honour the visible and invisible bonds that unite us all.”

Ahead of Friday’s service, a message on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account read: “Wonderful to see Westminster Abbey dressed and ready ahead of this evening’s Carol Service, complete with beautiful wreaths from The RHS. To all those attending this evening, we look forward to welcoming you!”

Kate’s Together at Christmas carol service will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.

Will you be watching the Princess of Wales’ Christmas service? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix


Rebecca Carter
Editor (Royal Insider)