Inside Kate Middleton’s Carol Service, In line with an Attendee (Unique)

Kate Middleton’s carol service was about much more than singing seasonal songs.

On Friday, Dec. 6, 1,600 company fill the pews at Westminster Abbey in London to attend Kate’s fourth annual Collectively at Christmas live performance, which acknowledged arduous work finished to assist communities all through the U.Okay.

Jenny Powell, who helps folks with disabilities in her city of Abergavenny in South Wales, tells PEOPLE, “It was like saying, ‘We do acknowledge you.’ ”

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For the reason that COVID pandemic, Powell arrange a bunch, The Gathering, to do craft-making, present sensory areas, provide cooking alternatives and partake in bingo. “In our group, everybody understands everybody else,” she says.

At Kate’s Collectively at Christmas live performance, the royal positioned a letter on every seat that summed up the theme of affection and kindness.

“It was a beautiful letter,” Powell says. “It actually confirmed her appreciation of what we’re all doing. It was fairly touching and introduced tears to my eyes.”

She continues, “These items that I’ve been doing have impacted the lives of individuals I’ve been supporting, however realizing that the royal household is conscious of those little issues is beautiful.”

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Powell recollects the metal drum band enjoying and servers handing out mince pies on the occasion, in addition to a “kindness tree,” which was positioned close to the door. There, helpers handed out pink labels and pens “so you can write a word to hold on [the tree] earlier than you went in,” Powell says.

When Princess Kate, Prince William and their three kids — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — arrived, “They appeared so comfortable collectively,” Powell says.

“It’s been a tough 12 months, however she put that courageous face on and he or she appeared completely beautiful,” she provides of Kate, 42, who not too long ago accomplished chemotherapy after her most cancers analysis.

Different company on the occasion included Kate’s mother and father, Carole and Michael Middleton; her sister, Pippa Middleton; her brother, James Middleton, and his spouse, Alizée Thevenet.

The households of the survivors of the Taylor Swift-themed dance class, through which three kids have been killed in a July 29 mass stabbing, have been additionally in attendance.

Olivia Dean, in the meantime, carried out, and readings have been finished by William, 42, in addition to actors together with Richard E. Grant.

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Talking extra about participating within the occasion, Powell tells PEOPLE, “I do issues for my group as a result of I like doing it and I by no means anticipated to be invited.”

“I’m actually grateful that they’re acknowledging what some persons are doing in the neighborhood. It actually meant one thing to have that chance to be a part of that have,” she continues.