There are few people in this world who can bring together 1,600 people from across the country to celebrate what unites us. The Princess of Wales’s “Together at Christmas” carol service, held in Westminster Abbey this evening, was a truly magical event to be a part of.I was shown to my seat in the Poets’ Corner area of the Abbey, in the rows directly behind the Royal Family.Along with the order of service, beautifully illustrated by Charlie Mackesy, was a letter from the princess and a candle.Princess Kate’s guest list for Christmas Carol Service ‘indicated who has supported her most’GettyKate had written to everybody in the congregation, and she revealed that Christmas is one of her favourite times of the year.Her Royal Highness wrote: “The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy”.2024 was a particularly challenging year for the Princess of Wales, who underwent major abdominal surgery followed by preventative chemotherapy for cancer.Yet, Kate chose to shine the spotlight on others – particularly those coming to terms with loss.The Middletons arriving at Princess Kate’s carol serviceGettyOlympic star Sir Chris Hoy, who has terminal prostate cancer, and Lindsey Burrow, the widow of the late Rob Burrow, who died earlier this year from Motor Neurone Disease, lit candles during the service.The princess invited those who had supported people in their local communities, but it was clear very personal invitations were also sent out.Her close family members surrounded her, indicating who had comforted her when she was most in need this year.Alongside her immediate family, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, were the Middletons.Princess Kate and Duchess of Edinburgh sat beside each other at the concertPAHer mother and father, Michael and Carole, as well as her siblings, Pippa and James, sat opposite the princess.To Kate’s right was the Duchess of Edinburgh, who supported the Princess of Wales during the Remembrance Sunday Service in November – showing the close relationship the two royal women have formed.Extended members of the Royal Family, including Lady Gabriella Windsor, were also invited to join the service.Earlier this week, a coroner concluded Lady Gabriella’s husband, Thomas Kingston, took his own life.Lady Gabriella Windsor and Pippa Middleton walking into the Abbey side-by-sidePAThe daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent broke down in tears in court, but tonight, showed the utmost stoicism.Despite my fear, no one accidentally set fire to the Abbey when the entire congregation lit each other’s candles.Instead, we were united in the Christmas message, with the light bouncing off the ancient stone walls of Westminster Abbey.“We must all shine for each other,” the princess said in her letter. “Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light.”