Kate and William attend Christmas service amid Harry and Meghan drama

Members of the royal family have gathered at Westminster Abbey to attend the second annual “Together at Christmas” carol service, hosted by The Princess of Wales.

Kate, 40, led the troupe as she arrived alone at the historic royal church to greet fans and prepare for her performance that evening.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall was all smiles as she waved to the cameras before entering Westminster Abbey in London.

She later returned to the walkway to collect her husband, Prince William, and her two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and re-enter the abbey. Her youngest child, Prince Louis, appears to have stayed at home.

The Cambridge family then walked up the steps of Westminster Abbey with King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla, while the entire royal family formed a united front following the release of the final three episodes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's sensational Netflix documentary.

For this symbolic occasion, Kate wore a monochrome look in a festive burgundy shade, a coat dress in her typical A-line and matching gloves, shoes and a clutch.

Her hair was styled in her typical loose waves and the light of the Christmas lights shimmered in her ruby-colored earrings.

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Although Kate took the lead in the royal family, other high-ranking members of the royal family were not far behind.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was one of the first to arrive, wearing a chic cream coat, matching cream turtleneck sweater and knee-high brown leather boots.

Soon the royal cousins ​​arrived in large numbers: Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie with husband Jack Brooksbank and Mike Tindall, fresh from the jungle of “I'm a Celebrity”.

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Zara Tindall arrived moments later with Kate's family, including her sister Pippa and mother Carole, followed by His Majesty The King and his wife, Queen Camilla.

The service will be led by The Princess of Wales and supported by the Royal Foundation. It aims to “recognise the selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the United Kingdom” and to “celebrate and showcase the joy that human connection and togetherness can bring”.

Although the mother of three was the focus of the event in 2021, it will be particularly poignant this year as it is the first Christmas since the death of Queen Elizabeth and Kate's first event of this magnitude as the spearhead since becoming Princess of Wales.

The service will pay tribute to the late Queen and “the values ​​that Her Majesty embodied throughout her life, including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others.”

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Last year, Kate not only hosted the event but also performed, playing piano accompaniment for singer Tom Walker in his rendition of “For Those That Can't Be Here.”

This year's Christmas service will “combine traditional and modern elements and will include people of all faiths” as King Charles plans to become a “monarch of all faiths”. The service will be televised in a special broadcast this Saturday.

Westminster Abbey's world-famous choir will perform some of the nation's best-loved carols, including 'O Come, All Ye Faithful', chosen by public vote last week. There will also be readings from speakers including the Prince of Wales, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Hugh Bonneville and Kadeena Cox.

Royal Carols: Together At Christmas will be broadcast on ITV at 7pm on Christmas Eve.

Watch: Kate hosts star-studded Christmas service at Westminster Abbey