Kate Middleton Hosts Christmas Carol Service Linked to Documentary Bust-Up
Kate Middleton is preparing to host a royal Christmas carol service that was dragged into an argument between the palace and the BBC.
The Duchess of Cambridge will celebrate individuals and organisations who have helped Britain during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a special festive service at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday.
However, the uplifting atmosphere at the world-famous church where she married Prince William in 2011 will be a world away from the conflict that took place behind the scenes at Kensington Palace.
The service will be broadcast in Britain on ITV, despite having been produced by BBC Studios, after the network was brought into the negotiations unexpectedly at a late stage.
The BBC was originally expected to broadcast as well as produce the carols but the program went to its rivals after all three royal households issued a joint statement denouncing a new documentary.
Two part mini-series The Princes and the Press contained allegations William and Harry briefed against each other, triggering a rare public response from the palace.
When the show finally aired, most of its interviews were conducted with U.K. royal correspondents based on details that had already appeared in past news stories.
However, ITV were given rights to the carol service nonetheless and the show will air on Christmas Eve.
Kensington Palace said in a press release promoting the event: "The event will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a special programme which will be aired by ITV at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve.
"The broadcast will feature additional content including an introduction from The Duchess of Cambridge, videos highlighting the efforts of inspirational organisations, and a special performance by Tom Walker of his new Christmas single For Those Who Can't Be Here."
Prince William will give a reading while singers Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding will perform as well as poet Lemn Sissay.
In the documentary, Jenny Afia, Meghan Markle's lawyer, made an appearance to deny allegations the Duchess of Sussex bullied her staff.
Omid Scobie, author of biography Finding Freedom, which Meghan co-operated with via her press secretary, said: "There's been rumor for quite some time that a lot of the most damaging and negative stories about Harry and Meghan that have ended up in the pages of the press have come from other royal households or from other royal aides or courtiers and from my own reporting and research that is exactly true."
Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House issued a joint statement in response to the documentary which read: "A free, responsible and open Press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy.
"However, too often overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility."
A Kensington Palace press release about the carol service read: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family, will
attend the Together At Christmas community carol service at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday, December 8.
"Hosted and spearheaded by The Duchess, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the event will pay tribute to the incredible work of individuals and organisations across the UK who have supported their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic."
