One of the Princess of Wales’ most significant evenings of the year is now less than a month away. However, reports suggest that Kate Middleton is also watching to see whether her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, plans a competing event that could draw attention on the same day.
The event in question is Kate’s annual Together At Christmas carol service. Launched in 2021, the Westminster Abbey gathering celebrates charity workers, community leaders, volunteers and people who support others through difficult times. Approximately 1,600 guests attend each year, including members of the royal family, with Kate serving as host.
A source told Heat World that Christmas is particularly meaningful to Kate and that she has invested considerable time in building the concert into a major annual occasion. “Kate absolutely loves Christmas, and this concert means the world to her,” the source said. “She puts so much thought and effort into making it special, and it’s become something she’s incredibly proud of.”
According to the insider, Kate has heard that Prince Harry and Meghan may organize festive events connected to their charitable work around the same period. “She feels this is her moment and doesn’t want it turning into another competition between the two couples,” the source claimed.
The source added that Harry and Meghan are keen to support causes close to them before Christmas but are reportedly waiting to announce their plans until Kate confirms the date of her concert. The insider claimed Kate is reluctant to reveal the date only to see the Sussexes stage another high-profile appearance that dominates the headlines.
“She’s not suggesting they shouldn’t do any Christmas events,” the source said. “But she feels there should be some consideration for what she’s doing, too.” The insider also claimed that Kate believes she has worked hard to establish the concert and does not want its buildup overshadowed by speculation about whether the Sussexes are attempting to attract attention.
The possibility of Harry and Meghan announcing a project close to one of Kate’s major appearances has fueled speculation among royal watchers for years. Critics have repeatedly accused the couple of timing statements and launches in ways that compete with important royal occasions, although the Sussexes have not accepted that characterization.
One frequently cited example came in January 2020, when Harry and Meghan announced that they were stepping back as senior working royals and intended to relocate to North America. The statement was issued on Jan. 8, one day before Kate’s birthday. Because the so-called Megxit announcement generated worldwide coverage, reports at the time suggested that attention on Kate’s birthday was significantly diminished.
Three years later, Prince Harry selected Jan. 10 as the publication date for his memoir, Spare—again just one day before Kate’s birthday. With extracts expected to emerge ahead of publication, much of the media coverage focused on the book’s revelations rather than the princess’s birthday celebrations.
Earlier, the second volume of the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan premiered on Dec. 15, the same evening Kate hosted her second annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Another point of contention came in 2024, when Meghan introduced a new jam flavor and dog biscuits under her As Ever brand on the day of the U.K.’s Trooping the Colour. The occasion also marked Kate’s first public appearance since she announced her cancer diagnosis.
What, if anything, Harry and Meghan might announce on the night of this year’s concert remains unclear. For now, the speculation adds another layer of tension to an event Kate has worked to make one of the royal family’s defining Christmas traditions.