Britain’s Kate says Christmas will feel very different without Queen Elizabeth | Daily News Byte

LONDON, Dec 22 (Reuters) – Britain’s Princess of Wales paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth at a carol service at Westminster Abbey, saying the royal family’s first Christmas without the late monarch “will feel very different”.

King Charles, along with Queen Consort Camilla, joined their son Prince William, Kate and other family members at the service at the Abbey, where Elizabeth was laid to rest in September. The carol service took place last week and will be broadcast on Saturday.

Kate, who is William’s wife and became Princess of Wales after Charles came to the throne, organized the event and dedicated it to Elizabeth and “those who are sadly no longer with us”.

“So, while Christmas will feel very different this year, we can still remember the memories and traditions we shared,” Kate said in introducing the service. Elizabeth died on September 8, aged 96, after 70 years on the throne.

“Mahima held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and showed empathy and compassion,” she said.

The family presented a united front at the service on Dec. 15 — the same day that the final episodes of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan’s Netflix ( NFLX.O ) documentary series were released.

Harry, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020, made fresh criticism of his family in the series, accusing his older brother William of shouting at him during a summit to discuss his future.

Reporting by Suban Abdullah Editing by Francis Carey

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.