The service, hosted by Catherine at Westminster Abbey on December 5, 2025, was broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve. It featured a star-studded lineup including Katie Melua, who performed a reimagined version of White Christmas, and Dan Smith, lead singer of Bastille, who sang O Holy Night.
While the event celebrated themes of love, compassion, and connection—with readings by celebrities like Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and a heartfelt pre-recorded piano duet between the Princess and her daughter Princess Charlotte—some musical choices divided audiences.
Social media quickly filled with criticism aimed at the contemporary twists on traditional carols. One viewer described Katie Melua’s rendition as “mangling White Christmas,” joking that it was “better if we had a silent night.” Others turned their ire to Dan Smith’s performance, with comments such as: “This guy is massacring my favourite Carol. This version of O Holy Night is dreadful,” and “Wtf they’re murdering these songs.”
Another frustrated fan quipped, “Is this a Carol service for the deaf?” Several admitted to switching off the broadcast midway, calling the segment “painful” and lamenting the departure from classic arrangements.
Despite the backlash over these performances, the show received widespread praise elsewhere. The touching piano duet by Catherine (playing left hand) and 10-year-old Princess Charlotte (right hand) of Erland Cooper’s Holm Sound—a piece inspired by nature and connection—brought many viewers to tears. Princess Charlotte’s proud glances at her mother and the family’s involvement, including Prince William and the younger royals, were hailed as highlights.
Other performers, including Zak Abel (who stepped in last-minute for Hannah Waddingham), Griff, and the Cornish folk group Fisherman’s Friends, contributed to a mix of traditional and modern elements that organisers said aimed to reflect people of all faiths and none.
The complaints echo a recurring debate at royal festive events: the balance between preserving beloved traditions and introducing fresh interpretations. While some appreciated the artistic risks, traditionalists clearly felt the classic carols had been overshadowed.
Overall, the service—attended by 1,600 guests honouring community heroes—remained a poignant celebration, reminding viewers of the “simple acts of care” that bind us, as Catherine wrote in her letter to attendees.
The programme is available to stream on ITVX for those who missed it or wish to judge the performances for themselves.
