Kate Middleton Attends Surprise Christmas Tea Party in Sneak Peek of Carol Concert Broadcast

Kate Middleton solemnly attended a surprise holiday tea party.

The Princess of Wales, 41, recently wowed a group of family who gathered at the end of the year. Princess Kate took time to thank some inspirational adults who have helped shape children’s lives. A celebration will appear in the film in her honor Royal Songs: Together at Christmas the concert was broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve, and three behind-the-scenes clips of the party, which was filmed last month in London, were also released.

The service, which was held at Westminster Abbey on December 8, highlighted the vital importance of early childhood and Kate took the opportunity to thank those among the 1,500 worshipers for the help and support they give to society’s youngest.

Princess Kate’s early years campaign, Shaping Us, aims to increase understanding and support for children in their first five years of life. But this cannot happen without the help of family members or professionals.

So at the Christmas party, Kate learned more about how adults make an incredible contribution to raising the next generation.

Kate Middleton talks to brothers George and Henry alongside Ray, a music therapist from East Anglia Children’s Hospice.

Kensington Palace

Kate Middleton concert guest Carol shares behind-the-scenes details ahead of the Christmas Eve broadcast

One of them was Ray, who comes from a place familiar to the princess – he works as a music therapist at the East Anglia Children’s Hospice, which she has been a patron of since she began public life more than a decade ago. Ray helped support the family of Henry, 10, (who joined the party with his brother George, 12) who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of 18 months.

The Princess of Wales also spent time with Brenda, who is a retired mental health nurse from Sussex in southern England. He volunteers at local schools helping children like Jenson, 8, whom Kate met, develop new skills like reading through a local intergenerational program.

Kate Middleton welcomes Brenda, a retired mental health nurse from Sussex who volunteers in local schools.

Kensington Palace

Another guest was Russell Gray, who is a football coach in Manchester and introduced Kate to Rico, 13. Coaching football helped build Rico’s confidence and helped him pursue his passion for the sport.

As well as highlighting the Shaping Us campaign, Kate used the third annual carol concert to pay tribute to professionals in the sector, with many invited to the big event at Westminster Abbey.

Among them is Pauline Byrne, head of the Baby Basics center in Barry, south Wales, who told PEOPLE: “She has an aura about her. She comes from a very family-oriented background and if you’ve had that kind of upbringing, you appreciate it more.”

Kate Middleton links up with Ric and his football coach Russell Gray from Manchester.

Kensington Palace

In the run-up to the holidays, Kate was also inspired to bring her three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, to a donation center near their home in Windsor to lend a hand by volunteering. The Princess of Wales and her children packed toys and clothes for families in need this holiday season.

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“She has a lot of empathy and compassion. I don’t think she takes her life for granted,” Byrne tells PEOPLE. “She has to recognize that there are families that aren’t so fortunate and that your environment and resources actually shape your development as an adult.” The short film is part of the show’s surprise Christmas tea party Royal Songs: Together at Christmas, airs on Christmas Eve at 7.45pm on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK

Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton at the ‘Together At Christmas’ concert at Westminster Abbey on December 8.

Aaron Chown – WPA collection/Getty

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Source: HIS Education