Children from St Mary’s Ukrainian School choir recall ‘high-fiving Kate Middleton’

Children from St Mary’s Ukrainian School choir have recalled the moment they met the Princess of Wales at her festive Westminster Abbey carol service.

The choir was personally invited by Kate, 40, to sing for the Royal Carols: Together At Christmas – which will be broadcast tomorrow – and met the mother-of-three ahead of their performance. 

Appearing on Lorraine today, members of the group revealed how they high-fived the princess and felt ‘honoured’ to be performing for the Royal Family, including King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla.

One young boy said: ‘It was excited to meet Royal Family and sing for so much important people for Britain. Once she give us high-five, I feel like she’s my friend, but she’s Royal Family. So it was exciting. [sic]’

Another emotional youngster said: ‘I was so honoured that I actually got to meet the Royal Family and I got to give Kate Middleton a high-five.’

The choir then performed on the ITV programme for viewers at home, singing Prince of Peace. 

Kate’s Together at Christmas service was held on December 15, and was supported by the Royal Foundation, a charity founded and run by the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

One of the people that the Princess was keen to highlight during the event was Inna Hryhorovych, headmistress of St Mary’s Ukrainian School in London, whose workload has increased dramatically since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

The choir was personally invited by Kate, 40, to sing for the Royal Carols: Together At Christmas – which will be broadcast tomorrow – and met the mother-of-three ahead of their performance

Appearing on Lorraine today, members of the group revealed how they high-fived the princess and felt ‘honoured’ to be performing for the Royal Family, including King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla

Ms Hryhorovych is seen receiving a letter from Kate thanking her for the care she provides to the families and children attending the school.

In the letter, the Princess also invites Ms Hryhorovych and the St Mary’s Ukrainian School choir to sing a carol at the Westminster Abbey service.

One child said his father in Kharkiv told him how ‘proud he was of me and amazed’ when he told him that he had performed in front of the Royal Family in Westminster Abbey.

Another Ukrainian said the performance was ‘supercool’ and described how the choir had to learn the English lyrics to Away in a Manger in time for the concert.

Their beautiful performance of Away In A Manger can be heard alongside musical star turns by the Westminster Abbey choir, pop star Craig David, soulman Alexis Ffrench, and a special duet by tenor Alfie Boe and former Spice Girl Melanie C. 

Another emotional youngster said: ‘I was so honoured that I actually got to meet the Royal Family and I got to give Kate Middleton a high-five.’

Readings were delivered by the Prince of Wales, actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and boxer Nicola Adams.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales has told how her special carol service is dedicated to the late Queen ‘and to all those who are sadly no longer with us’.

In an introduction filmed for Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, Kate talks emotionally of Queen Elizabeth’s affinity with the festive period ‘as a time which brings people together and reminds us all of important values’.

The 40-year-old royal held her first event last year, which was such a success that she decided to bring it back – in the likelihood that it could become an annual fixture. 

She said: ‘Last year’s event reminded me what I love most about Christmas, seeing people coming together, celebrating and experiencing special moments, whilst also thinking about the year that’s passed.

The Princess of Wales has told how her special Westminster Abbey carol service is dedicated to the late Queen ‘and to all those who are sadly no longer with us’

‘This Christmas will be our first without Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion.’

This year, the Princess has invited hundreds of ‘inspiring individuals’ to the service to recognise their contributions up and down the country. 

She described them as: ‘Those who showcase the power of connectedness and community values, allowing us to continue Her Majesty’s tradition of recognising and thanking those who have gone above and beyond to support others.’

And she added: ‘Her Majesty leaves with us an incredible legacy and one that has deeply inspired many of us. This year’s carol service is dedicated to her and to all those who are sadly no longer with us.

‘So, whilst Christmas will feel very different this year, we can still remember the memories and traditions we shared.

‘Take time to slow down and celebrate with family and friends all the wonderful things that make Christmas so special.’

In a £400 black sequin knit crop cardigan, from Self Portrait, she recorded the message last week during a visit to the Abbey amid final preparations for the service.

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