Royal Carol Service at Westminster Abbey

AskAlice

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.

I know she's British. I should have said OTHER good British singers ..... Apologies.

I think Gregory Porter has some scarring from an accident and that is why he wears the hat. I read that somewhere.

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.

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.

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.

Gregory Porter I think Lovetopaint.

Why does he always wear that hat?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

@OldFrill

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.

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

Not much else on though, I suppose.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Awful.

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

Agree with you Sparklefizz. Paloma Faith was embarrassing !

We really enjoyed it.