The royal family gathered to support Kate Middleton’s second annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, revealing a sentimental honour to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Princess of Wales hosted a carol service last year, but this year's special event (held on Thursday 15 December) paid tribute to the late Queen, as well as the "selfless efforts" of people and communities across the UK.
Attending the #TogetheratChristmas carol service was King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, along with Prince William, Kate Middleton, and two of their three children – Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
The Abbey was decorated like an enchanted forest surrounded with Christmas trees covered in fake snow and warm lights. All of the trees were sourced from Windsor Great Park and donated by His Majesty The King.
The trees inside Westminster Abbey however held a sentimental touch in the choice of decorations to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II. Inside trees featured red bows as well as mini Paddington bears and Paddington bear baubles.
Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington bear became linked following a short comedy sketch the Queen took part in during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, in which she sat down for tea with the character.
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After the passing of Her Majesty in September, more than 1,000 Paddington bears, marmite sandwiches and other teddy bears were left in tribute to her.
William spoke to volunteers and operational staff that were involved in the Queen's funeral, opening up about the Paddington bear tributes. He said: "Certain moments catch you out. You are prepared for all, but certain moments catch you out. It is the things you don't expect that get to you."
The Prince of Wales added that he got "choked up" over the Paddington tributes.
With so many bears being left behind as tribute, Buckingham Palace revealed in October that the bears would be professionally cleaned and then delivered to children's charity Barnardo's.
Camilla donated the hundreds of bears one month later during a "Teddy Bear's Picnic" event for vulnerable children at the centre.
The special event will be broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve, 7pm.
Chloe Bowen is Cosmopolitan UK’s former Features Intern. She holds undergraduate and masters degrees in journalism, and ever since joining the Cosmo team, Chloe writes about everything from sex and dating to mental health, culture, body image and books. In her spare time, she’s likely to be cooking up tasty vegan food, in a yoga class, binge-watching crime documentaries or going on long walks with an over-priced oat milk flat white.
