Just hours after Harry & Meghan Volume II premiered on Netflix, Princess Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey to host her second annual royal Christmas Carol Concert.
While the rest of us won't be able to experience this reportedly magical evening until it airs on British TV on Christmas Eve, Marie Claire spoke to one lucky attendee, Bettina Moltrecht, who was invited to the royal celebration on behalf of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
"The whole room had gone silent and I didn’t know why, but then I saw Kate and she is as beautiful in real life as she is on photos," Moltrecht says.
"It felt unreal to see them all so close. It was nice also that she came early to take time to speak to people."
The Princess of Wales arrived at the Abbey sometime in the afternoon, flanked by her husband Prince William, and their two oldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
The King and Queen consort were also in attendance, as were Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, Zara Tindall, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
Kate stunned in an elegant wine-red coat dress by Eponine, paired with matching pointy suede pumps, and a matching snakeskin-effect clutch. Princess Charlotte adorably twinned with her royal mom.
Meanwhile, Prince George looked like dad William's mini-me in an adorable navy suit. William himself allowed himself a festive nod to his wife and daughter's outfits with a wine-red tie.
As for the actual service, Moltrecht loved it. "It was a wonderful compilation of songs and artists," she explains. "It was my first Christmas Carol Service in the U.K. so it was very impressive and special to have that in Westminster Abbey."
She also was excited to spot Spice Girl Melanie C and singer Craig David in the Abbey, both of whom were there as musical guests.
Bring on Christmas Eve, TBH!
-
Harry Was Allegedly Crushed When William Received "Special Treatment""Poor Harry's face across the table," Princess Diana's former butler recalled.
-
Prince Harry Wasn't Informed About King Charles's Hospitalization"It looks like the duke only found out about his father's latest health update through the media."
-
Jennifer Lawrence Styles a $7,500 Outfit With $100 SneakersThe actress paired Prada and Celine with her $100 footwear.
-
Princess Beatrice Discusses "Sheer Worry" During Second Pregnancy After Learning Daughter Athena Would Arrive Early"The uncertainty leaves you with an overwhelming fear of the unknown."
-
Princess Diana's Wedding Gown Was Inspired by a Supermodel's "Fairytale" Dress—And the Original Is Now on eBayYou'll never believe the price.
-
Princess Beatrice‘s Baby Daughter Shares a Sweet Tie to Princess Diana's NieceAlthough they're not related, there's a connection between the Spencer and Mapelli-Mozzi families.
-
Prince Charles Found One Aspect of Marriage With "Mercurial" Princess Diana "Difficult to Cope With"A former royal journalist opened up about her encounters with the late royal.
-
Princess Diana Saw Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's Divorce as a "Roadmap of How to Mess It Up"The late princess used her brother-in-law and sister-in-law's split as a learning opportunity for her own breakup.
-
The Surprising Detail About Princess Diana's Earrings You Probably Missed at Kate Middleton's Latest AppearanceThe Princess of Wales wore her late-mother-in-law's pearl drops for Commonwealth Day 2025.
-
7 Times the Royal Family Broke Queen Elizabeth's More Understated "Rule"These royal women are doing it their way.
-
Americans Have a Surprising Favorite Member of the Royal Family, Per Latest Poll—and It Isn't Princess KateThe rankings are wildly different than the same U.K. survey.
