Prince William read an extract of the Christmas message delivered by his grandmother the late Queen in 2012.
The Princess of Wales hosted a Christmas Eve carol service at Westminster Abbey dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II which was broadcast to the general public this evening.
During the service, the Prince of Wales delivered a poignant reading, taken from a message his grandmother had given a decade earlier.
He said: ‘I am always amazed at how the spirit of unity is at the heart of the Christmas story.
‘A young mother and a dutiful father with their child were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They brought their gifts to worship the Christ Child.
The Prince of Wales reads an extract from Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 Christmas message during the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey
The Queen delivered a similar speech in 2012, broadcast from the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
Since that day he has inspired people to devote themselves to the best interests of others. This is the time of year when we remember that God sent His only begotten Son to serve, not to be served.
‘He restored love and service to the center of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. My prayer this Christmas Day is that his example and teachings will unite people to give their best in the service of others.’
The Queen gave a similar speech in 2012 as part of a wider broadcast from the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
It is still unclear why Prince William chose this particular extract. In 2012, the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee and described the celebrations at the time as ‘particularly memorable for me and my family’.
He said at the time: ‘It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a responsibility to me sixty years ago.’
Christmas Eve carol services hosted by the Princess of Wales broadcast after being recorded at Westminster Abbey
Kate and William share a sweet moment with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they enter Westminster Abbey
The event was attended by King Charles III, the Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice were also present.
Speaking at the start of the event, Kate said: ‘This Christmas will be our first without Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
‘Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart as a time that brought us together. His Highness has left an incredible legacy with us and one that has deeply inspired many of us.
‘This year’s carol service is dedicated to him and to those who are sadly no longer with us.’
The Princess of Wales (left) with the Countess of Wessex during the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey
Queen Elizabeth II poses for a photo after recording her annual Christmas Day message in 2018. Following the death of Her Majesty this year, King Charles III will broadcast his first Christmas message as monarch tomorrow
Singers and DJs Craig David, Alfie Bowe and Spice Girl Mel Seo also performed a carol at the star-studded event.
Messages from celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, Ashley Banjo and Martin Kemp were also included in the show, which aired on ITV.
Dame Judy said she remembered the Queen’s first Christmas broadcast, including a clip of the young monarch addressing the nation shortly after ascending the throne.
The service took place on Dec. 15, just hours after the final episode of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial documentary on Netflix.
