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Royal Carol Service at Westminster Abbey

(27 Posts)
Sparklefizz Tue 24-Dec-24 20:45:45

Anybody watched this? I thought it was lovely, and wonderful to see the Princess of Wales looking so well and happy.

The young singer at the end - Olivia Dean - was terrific, but I thought Paloma Faith was dreadful. Why on earth choose her when there are so many good British singers to pick from?

GrannyGravy13 Tue 24-Dec-24 21:04:36

Thoroughly enjoyed it 🎄

Blinko Tue 24-Dec-24 21:07:13

We really enjoyed it.

Grandmajean Tue 24-Dec-24 21:10:13

Agree with you Sparklefizz. Paloma Faith was embarrassing !

Calendargirl Tue 24-Dec-24 21:12:51

I thought it was great, apart from Paloma Faith squawking away.

Awful.

I bet Charlotte has ballet lessons, she looked really into the dancing.

Grandmajean Tue 24-Dec-24 21:13:13

Also watched Carols From Kings. Beautiful. The soloist singing Oh Holy Night was wonderful.

Sarnia Tue 24-Dec-24 21:32:44

This has set me up for tomorrow. Beautiful singing and dancing. I particularly enjoyed listening to Richard E Grant reading an excerpt from Scrooge.
I thought Prince William, with his beard, has a look of a young King George V.
It was lovely that Catherine invited along small groups of young carers and a choir made up of young and old to play their part in the service. Lovely to see she has the common touch.

Shelflife Tue 24-Dec-24 22:55:53

Paloma Faith was an embarrassment, and the two backing singers were dreadful. Other than that I enjoyed it.
Princess Charlotte was very interested in the ballet. Richard Grants reading from Scrooge was a joy.

OldFrill Tue 24-Dec-24 23:22:37

I watched both Carols from Kings and the Royal Carol Service. Rather boring. No relevance to my life or that of my neighbours. The church and royal family really don't have much relevance to the majority of the population.

Gingster Tue 24-Dec-24 23:47:02

Yes it was lovely. I missed the dancers so I’ll watch it again tomorrow .

Mizuna Wed 25-Dec-24 06:12:30

It was a really beautiful service (except for Paloma, what a strange choice).

karmalady Wed 25-Dec-24 06:28:20

It was wonderful and it surpassed expectations. I loved the emphasis on love and empathy. Leading the nation by example. Thank you Catherine

Calendargirl Wed 25-Dec-24 06:57:25

But you spent nearly 3 hours watching it all, being ‘bored’ OldFrill.

Not much else on though, I suppose.

Jaberwok Wed 25-Dec-24 10:34:20

Why on earth would you watch something you dislike for three hours and then write something miserable and downbeat about it afterwards? Both carol services were lovely, the carols uplifting and quite emotional. The look of joy on those children's faces was fantastic, the elderly with the very small children was a tear jerker too. What a delightful lady Catherine is. It made my Christmas.

JaneJudge Wed 25-Dec-24 10:40:01

grin @OldFrill

merlotgran Wed 25-Dec-24 13:34:00

I listened to Carols from Kings while peeling veg but I’m saving the Princess of Wales’ concert for when I can sit down in peace and quiet and enjoy it.

pascal30 Wed 25-Dec-24 13:44:47

Catherine really excelled in her mix of performers apart from the screeching of Paloma Faith.. I really enjoyed the smile on Princess Charlotte's face when she watched the dancers.. She is going to be very beautiful I think..
I loved the inclusion of the nursery children/old people and the wonderful staff from the home in Chester..
I also appreciated the discretion of the cameras in regard to Catherine's family.. It was a lovely ,thoughtful and inclusive service..

Grandma70s Wed 25-Dec-24 14:33:53

OldFrill

I watched both Carols from Kings and the Royal Carol Service. Rather boring. No relevance to my life or that of my neighbours. The church and royal family really don't have much relevance to the majority of the population.

You don’t need to be interested in the church or the royal family to enjoy listening to carols. They are just beautiful music, especially when performed as well as by King’s College choir.

I agree that Princess Charlotte is very beautiful. I hope it lasts.

OldFrill Sat 28-Dec-24 16:32:09

Calendargirl

But you spent nearly 3 hours watching it all, being ‘bored’ OldFrill.

Not much else on though, I suppose.

I know! I'm such a saint 😇
Others wanted to watch it and it would have been awfully rude to object. And I thought I'd enjoy it more. Could have been partly due to the sound quality on the TV, I've only ever listened to Kings on a decent radio. Anyway we didn't watch it in silence so no great chore.

Allira Sat 28-Dec-24 16:48:47

OldFrill

I watched both Carols from Kings and the Royal Carol Service. Rather boring. No relevance to my life or that of my neighbours. The church and royal family really don't have much relevance to the majority of the population.

Have you never been to a Carol service or Christingle service with children and watched the joy on their faces, OldFrill?

It really is a more uplifting part of Christmas than many other commercialised aspects of it.

Lovetopaint037 Sat 28-Dec-24 17:34:29

We watched it as a recording as we were with family. Really enjoyed it especially that singer whose name always escapes me but he wears a hat which goes down past his ears. He has such a lovely voice and the song was beautiful. Loved the ballet and yes Princess Charlotte was obviously captivated by it. The whole service was a joy.

Calendargirl Sat 28-Dec-24 17:39:28

Gregory Porter I think Lovetopaint.

Why does he always wear that hat?

DH thought he should have removed it, being in church.

welbeck Sat 28-Dec-24 17:50:12

No that's old hat now about men having to remove headgear in church.
There is a man locally
not young very devout administers the cup at communion.
He often wears a baseball cap in church. Though not when up front.
Nobody minds and most people wouldn't even notice.
As to the singer Gregory Porter no know why he wears his cap but he always does everywhere.

Calendargirl Sat 28-Dec-24 17:55:50

I realise that removing headgear in church is ‘old hat’ nowadays, (no pun intended!) but still looks not quite right somehow.

But hey ho, just need to go with the flow, I know.

AskAlice Sat 28-Dec-24 19:54:39

Just to point out Sparklefizz that Paloma Faith IS British - she was born and brought up in Hackney, London! Her song at the service and her singing style may not have blended in with the other songs and carols I agree and maybe she was not the best choice for this occasion, but she does have a terrific voice when singing in her own genre.