08 December 2023 , 19:43
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Sibling rivalry appears to be at work in the royal household after cheeky Prince Louis was caught blowing out his big sister's candle during their mum's carol concert tonight.
The royal kids, standing to the left of their far more sensible eldest brother Prince George, 10, could be seen mucking around at the annual Westminster Abbey event hosted by their mum Kate Middleton. As the youngest sibling, five, blew out the candle, Princess Charlotte, eight, bursts out laughing, likely due to the solemnity of the occasion.
The three children made a rare public appearance for the firm fixture in the festive royal calendar. The service was focused around a cause close to Kate's heart, after she launched the Shaping Us campaign in January - which promotes the importance of a child's formative years.
Prince Louis is well-known for his cheeky antics at royal dos (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Due to the rarity of their attendance, royal watchers observed how the youngest child, Louis - who celebrated his fifth birthday in April - had shot up to being nearly as tall as his brother and sister. Prince Louis has previously been known for being the cheeky and adorable prince who causes no end of trouble with his antics at various royal occasions.
Kate had travelled ahead of her family to meet and thank the celebrities taking part and she stopped to chat to a number of the young people invited to the event.
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As they walked into the Abbey the royal children paused for a moment to post Christmas cards, in a special postbox, containing messages for children who might be struggling this Christmas, something open to all youngsters attending.
Princess Charlotte walked in to the service hand in hand with her mum (Getty Images)Among the highlights of the service will be songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier playing last Christmas on John Lennon's piano, which was owned by Wham! singer and solo-star George Michael and loaned by his estate.
Broadcaster Roman Kemp, the son of Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp and former Wham! backing singer Shirlie Kemp, will introduce Collier and talk about the role George Michael played in his life.
Oscar winning star Jim Broadbent will read an extract from Letters From Father Christmas by Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien and actor Michael Ward is due to recount the moment shepherds were told by an angel about the birth of Christ and they visited Mary and Joseph, in a reading from Luke's Gospel.
The trio posted their letters to Santa outside the service (Getty Images)Arriving guests were treated to carols and Christmas songs performed by the Action for Children Young Carers Aloud choir, made up of 12 young carers including one aged just six. The princess thanked the celebrities for giving up their time when she met them ahead of the concert.
She appeared to joke with multi-instrumentalist Collier, who has posted music tutorial videos on YouTube, about her daughter learning the piano and he quipped "many a plink and a plonk". Chatting to Broadbent the princess said: "Thank you for your time because I know the lead up to Christmas can be busy for people."
Britain's Prince Louis (centre) looks over a statue of a royal guard as he and his family depart the service together (ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time (Getty Images)Kate walked around the Abbey before the concert started speaking to young people who have done inspiring activities. She chatted to four scouts from the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough her family visited during the coronation celebration weekend, part of The Big Help Out event, helping to renovate their hut.
The princess told them "It was really inspiring-seriously good job" and high-fived each scout in turn. Kate crouched down to chat to seven-year-old Oscar Burrow, from Lancaster, who when aged six climbed 12 mountains raising more than £40,000 for Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire.
His mother Kimberley Burrow said afterwards: "She said she'd heard about what he's done and he's doing a fantastic job, and hopes what he's doing will inspire other children to do amazing things."
The royals stand with the Dean of Westminster Abbey and the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle (Getty Images)The service began with the popular carol, Once In Royal David's City, and the congregation also heard a duet by Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert who performed The Christmas Song, made famous by Nat King Cole.
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William read the passage from the Gospel according to Luke that describes how Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem to be registered and the birth of Jesus.
The Abbey echoed with the voices of its choir and the congregation singing a selection of carols including Silent Night, Holy Night and Joy To The World, as well as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
The historic building featured Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park donated by the King, which will be given to local communities after the service.
Prince Louis, who is just five years old, has shot up to being nearly as tall as his brother and sister (PA)The event will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a special programme airing at 7.45pm on ITV1 and ITV X on Christmas Eve, featuring additional material including an introduction by Kate and films emphasising the importance of early childhood.
It will include contributions from Rio and Kate Ferdinand, Ugo Monye, Andrea and Virginia Bocelli and Dame Sheila Hancock.