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Sporting a smart military uniform, light gingery beard and jovial demeanour, one of the guests spotted arriving at Westminster Abbey for the Princess of Wales‘ carol concert – airing tonight on ITV – looks very familiar.

Eagled-eyed viewers tuning into the service might be forgiven for thinking Prince William and Prince Harry had embarked on a festive truce such is the likeness between the Duke of Sussex and a mystery airman attending Kate’s festive occasion.

 

Prince Harry’s cheerful doppelganger appeared in the trailer for the ‘Together At Christmas’ concert, which first aired last week ahead of the ITV broadcast on Christmas Eve.

Dressed in a RAF ceremonial uniform of the British Army, the Duke’s double appears 35 seconds into the footage looking uncannily like Prince Harry.

The real Prince Harry is spending a ‘quiet’ Christmas thousands of miles away at his home in California with Meghan Markle and the couple’s two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

The resemblance to King Charles’s youngest son, 40, who is still largely estranged from his family, isn’t just facial, the military man carries the same stature and build as Harry.

The appearance of the look-alike draws attention to the absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from Kate’s concert and from the royals’ Christmas celebrations more broadly – as another year passes with family relations still tense.

Families gathered on Christmas Eve are in for a regal treat when The Princess of Wales’ carol concert airs this evening to the nation.

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Will the real Prince Harry please stand up? A chipper-looking Prince of Sussex lookalike is seen strolling in military uniform outside of Westminster Abbey ahead of the Princess of Wales’ Together At Christmas concert, which airs tonight on ITV

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Uncanny: Prince Harry pictured alongside the Princess of Wales back in 2018, wearing full military dress to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force

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At her fourth carol concert, the Princess of Wales will, in a voice over at the start of the service, ask people to ‘slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all’ and turn to ‘love, not fear’

It is the fourth time Kate Middleton has held the annual festive concert at Westminster Abbey – but this year’s is particularly poignant as the 42-year-old royal continues her recovery from cancer; Prince William has described 2024 as ‘probably the hardest year of my life’.

Filmed earlier this month on December 6th, Royal Carols: Together At Christmas will air at 7:30pm on Christmas Eve on ITV1 and ITVX.

Royal fans will see the princess joined by William, 42, and the couple’s three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

A host of royal family members will be spotted by eagle-eyed viewers when the concert airs, as many of the Windsors turned out to support the Princess of Wales.

The entire Middleton family too, who have been Kate’s dedicated support network throughout her recent illness, was also out in force.

The King and Queen, however, were not amongst the guests, with the filming coinciding with Camilla’s ongoing recovery from a viral chest infection.

The concert earlier in the yuletide season marked one of the few times the mother-of-three has made a public appearance this year, after undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy in the first half of the year.

Kate has been described as being ‘hands on’ over every aspect of the service, including holding regular planning meetings at Windsor ahead of filming.

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The Princess of Wales, pictured wearing an Alexander McQueen coat during the ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service – and chatting to singer Paloma Faith, right

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The Duke of Sussex’s doppelganger, sporting the Prince’s trademark gingery beard, looked in jovial spirits as he walked around the entrance of Westminster Abbey

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Prince Harry pictured in 2018 wearing full military dress with the Duchess of Sussex and Prince William at Buckingham Palace

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Support: Viewers will see the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, from left, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, arrive for the Together At Christmas carol service

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This year’s service is particularly poignant as the 42-year-old royal continues her recovery from cancer; Prince William has described 2024 as ‘probably the hardest year of my life’

On the day the service was filmed, the Princess arrived on her own at 4pm to view the abbey and oversee last minute arrangements.

However, the supportive royals have also helped Kate bring her ideas together, with everyone from King Charles, who donated Christmas trees, and Prince Louis, who penned a sweet note, helping to make the service a seasonal success.

Viewers will see the Princess of Wales looking elegant in an Alexander McQueen red coat, featuring a statement black bow, which she teamed with black Ralph Lauren boots for the festive occasion.

The theme of this year’s ‘Together at Christmas’ concert is love and empathy, which is perhaps suitable considering the difficult year the Princess has had.

A voice over featuring a message from Kate will be played at the start of the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

The broadcast of Kate’s service will open with a special festive message from the royal, in which she talks about the importance of love and empathy.

The Princess of Wales has called for people to ‘slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all’ and turn to ‘love, not fear’.

Her heartfelt message – which was given in a letter to every guest at the concert on December 6, and 15 regional community services and will be a voice over played at the start of the concert – was also shared in a clip from the upcoming broadcast.

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Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales hold candles as they take a pew in Westminster Abbey during the service

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Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service

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The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis look at messages on the Kindness Tree ahead of the Together At Christmas carol service

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Other royals also in attendance included Zara Tindall, left, alongside her pregnant cousin Princess Beatrice, right, and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi and his young son Wolfie

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Zara clearly enjoyed the royal fashion memo, donning a velour trouser-suit the colour of burgundy, alongside matching heels and a gold bag for the event

Kate says: ‘Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it’s also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.

‘It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.

‘The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.’

Kate continues: ‘The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.

‘It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives.’

After this, the broadcast of her annual festive gathering will be narrated by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald and ‘feature three special community films which bring to life the stories of people and organisations who have inspired, counselled and comforted others in their times of need’.

Kensington Palace said: ‘In each of the films, the groups are seen receiving letters from the princess inviting them to attend – and in the case of the Sankofa Songsters sing at – the service at Westminster Abbey.’

The films will showcase the Worcestershire Gingerbread Group, Go Beyond and intergenerational choir the Sankofa Songsters.

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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, looked radiant in a purple patterned dress, teamed with a festive white jacket

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Carole Middleton and Lady Gabriella Windsor arrive for the festive occasion in London today

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James Middleton and his wife Alizee Thevenet matched in navy and burgundy outfits today

A depraved couple are set to spend the rest of their lives in prison after subjecting their two adopted sons to sickening sexual abuse.

William Zulock, 34, and Zachary Zulock, 36, were both sentenced to 100 years behind bars without possibility of parole. They pleaded guilty to multiple charges including aggravated sodomy, child molestation, incest and sexual exploitation of children.

The two men recorded the abuse to share with a ring of paedophiles. Prosecutors in Georgia, US, described their home as a “house of horrors”.

The Zulocks adopted their sons from a Christian special-needs agency in 2018 were then five and three years old. They presented themselves on social media as loving fathers, documenting their lives and flaunting their affluent lifestyle in suburban Atlanta.

William (L) and Zachary (R) will spend the rest of their lives behind bars ( 
Image:
Walton County Sheriff’s Office)

The sick couple regularly forced their boys to have sex with them on camera. Evidence also showed they bragged about the abuse to twisted friends. New York Times reports one friend told police Zachary once sent a Snapchat message reading: “I’m going to f**k my son tonight. Stand by.” The message was accompanied by images of the boy being abused.

They allegedly allowed at least two other men, who were part of the depraved local paedophile ring, to abuse the boys. The couple were arrested in 2022 after an alleged member of the ring was caught downloading child abuse images and told authorities of how the Zulocks were making sick content with boys living in their house.

Investigators uncovered more than seven terabytes of incriminating evidence in the home, including surveillance footage, graphic messages, and videos documenting the abuse.

At their sentencing, District Attorney Randy McGinley described the couple’s crimes as “as dark as it gets”. He also praised the young boys – who are now in foster care – for helping to ensure their abusers will never walk free. Both men will each serve 100 years behind bars without the possibility of parole, followed by a lifetime of probation.

“These two defendants truly created a house of horrors and put their extremely dark desires above everything and everyone else,” McGinley said. “But their depravity was no match for the resolve of those fighting for justice.”

A 39-year-old man has been shot dead by armed police in Redditch, Worcestershire, West Mercia Police have said.

A five-hour stand off ended with the man pronounced dead shortly before 8pm on Christmas Eve. Officers had been called by West Midlands Ambulance Service to an address in Redditch, Worcestershire, at around 2pm after concerns were raised for the safety of a man with a knife. The force said attempts were made over “several hours” to deal with the incident, but the man was shot dead at around 7.40pm.

Despite efforts from the emergency services he was pronounced dead shortly before 8pm. The force has now been referred to the police watchdog, the IOPC.

Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills said: “We do not underestimate the shock and concern this may cause the local community and I want to reassure residents that we are following all appropriate procedures, this included making an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is mandatory and right.

The block of flats in Redditch ( 
Image:
PA)

“We will support their investigation, which will include providing all information we hold, including body-worn camera footage.”

The force said there was no-one else was in the property at the time.

A pregnant Princess Beatrice made a last-minute appearance with the royals at Church on Christmas Day today.

The 36-year-old, who is expecting her second child, made the late decision to join the family at Sandringham after initially planning to spend the festive season with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and his family. It came after it emerged that her father Prince Andrew would not be at Sandringham after deciding to stay away amid the controversy surrounding his links to an alleged Chinese spy. However, Beatrice received medical advice and had been guided not to travel long distances.

Therefore she decided to make the trip to Sandringham with husband Edo and their daughter Sienna, aged three. For church today, Beatrice wore a camel coat and walked with husband Edo and his son Wolfie, whom her shares with former partner Dara Huang.

Beatrice is pregnant with her second child ( 
Image:
PA)

King Charles led the royals to church ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
They were led by King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, as they walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church, past a crowd of well-wishers. They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. William walked hand in hand with Charlotte, and Kate who wore a green coat and hat, smiled at the crowds. Also in the walking party was the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Beatrice is pregnant with her second child ( 
Image:
PA)

King Charles led the royals to church ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
They were led by King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, as they walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church, past a crowd of well-wishers. They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. William walked hand in hand with Charlotte, and Kate who wore a green coat and hat, smiled at the crowds. Also in the walking party was the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. They then headed inside and the national anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful. Earlier this year, William described the past year, in which his wife and father were treated for cancer, as ‘brutal’. He said that 2024 has “probably been the hardest year in my life” and a ‘dreadful’ experience.

Two more ‘alien mummies’ have been found in Peru as the mystery into their origins takes a new twist.

Paloma and Antonio are the names given to the two new figures who have been discovered in the Nazca desert, seven years after the first was discovered by ufologist Jaime Maussan.

Intriguingly the two new ‘mummies’ also have the same three fingers as the others but these have small, slanted eyes and are the size of a ‘short adult’.

In January this year forensic experts said that two other of the supposed mummies which had three fingers were in fact made from paper, glue, metal as well as human and animal bones.

The dolls had been seized in a shipment from Pero to Mexico and the analysis appeared to quash theories that they were aliens. Forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada, who led the analysis said that claims they came from an “alien centre or come from another planet (…) is totally false.”

But this has not put off Dr David Ruiz Vela, former president of Peru’s medical association who believes that the new mummies have human-like organs and a brain structure. After analysing the two figures which he believes are around 1,500 years old, he said that Antonio had a stab wound to the chest while Paloma was the first of the ‘mummies’ to have hair.

The figures were found in the Nazca desert ( 
Image:
Telemundo)
Mr Maussan has presented more than 10 of these ‘mummies’ to Mexico’s Congress in a bid to show that they are an alien life. But at the same time these claims of alien life were also dismissed in 2018 when DNA samples led scientists to conclude that the figures were from modified pre-Colombian mummies.

And in November last year, Mr Maussan returned to Mexico’s congress with a group of Peruvian doctors where he spent more than three hours pressing the case for “non-human beings” that he said were found in Peru. A report by the Peruvian prosecutor’s office that year found that alleged alien bodies were actually “recently manufactured dolls, which have been covered with a mixture of paper and synthetic glue to simulate the presence of skin.”

However, Dr Ruiz Vela explaining how these new supposed mummies are different said of Antonio: “He has a stab that broke his ribs on the left side of his chest, penetrating the chest, abdomen, liver and completely perforating him inside.” The location of the new figures has been kept secret to protect the site.

And another journalist Jois Mantilla, who has tried to prove the mummies are real has caused further intrigue by saying that “more will be revealed in 2025” about the creatures and specifically where these new ‘mummies were found.

A Russian vessel has sunk in the Mediterranean after an “explosion” on board.

The Ursa Major went down in international waters between Spain and Algeria. Spanish reports suggest 14 crew members were rescued from the 466ft ship, with two missing.

The Ursa Major had set off from St Petersburg 12 days ago, sailing via the North Sea and English Channel. The explosion that caused it to sink was in the engine room.

Spanish news outlet La Verdad reported the area of the wreck was declared dangerous for shipping until the arrival of “a Russian military vessel that took charge of the rescue operation”. Later, a Spanish Navy patrol boat joined them. The rescued crew members were taken to the Spanish city of Cartagena.

The Ursa Major going down ( 
Image:
Social media/east2west news)

Rescued crew members were taken to Cartagena ( 
Image:
AGM/east2west news)

The Ursa Major was carrying mystery cargo. Ukrainian military intelligence and Spanish sources suggested it was heading to Syria to transport Russian military equipment, which is being removed from the country following the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad.

The official Russian version is that it was en route to Vladivostok, carrying huge cranes weighing 380 tons each, intended for the construction of a modern nuclear icebreaker. This was described as a key “state task”.

“To ensure the stability of the vessel when performing cargo operations with oversized cargo, containers were loaded onto the lower deck in advance as additional ballast [in a] complex cargo handling operation,” Russian officials said.

Both versions may be true – and it may have been due to call at Tartus in Syria, a Russian naval base under the Assad regime, to collect cargo bound for Vladivostok. The ship had been due to transit the Suez Canal.

The vessel has frequently carried weapons for Russia’s military and is owned by Oboronlogistics, part of the Russian defence ministry. It has a gross tonnage of 12,679 and a deadweight tonnage of 9,490.

Ukrainian military intelligence agency GUR said: “The cargo ship Sparta, which Russia sent to transport its weapons and equipment from Syria, broke down during movement.

“A fuel pipe of the main engine failed. The Russian crew is trying to fix the problem and (the ship) is drifting in the open sea near Portugal.”

An update on Michael Mosley’s cause of death has been shared six months after his body was tragically found.

The TV doctor, who regularly appeared on This Morning, died on a Greek island earlier this summer after he went for a walk in the heat alone. The broadcaster, 67, went missing in Symi and a search was launched by emergency services, with his body found days later on June 9.

Now, a coroner has recorded an open conclusion regarding the cause of his death. Senior coroner for Buckinghamshire, Crispin Butler, said Dr Mosley’s death was classified as ‘indeterminate’ and most likely down to heatstroke or a non-identified pathological cause.

The location where the doctor’s body was found
In written findings, Mr Butler said the doctor’s death was not found to be a result of homicide, suicide, or an accident related to injuries. He wrote: “No medical cause of death could be ascertained, meaning Michael’s death may have been due to a medical event or as a result of a non-traumatic accident.”

The TV doctor, known for popularising the 5:2 diet, was found dead in a rocky area of Agia Marina on the Greek island of Symi. He had arrived on the picturesque island with his wife, Clare Bailey, a day before he went missing. They were staying with friends who lived in the town and had taken a boat out to the coast for the day.

The couple spent some time at Saint Nicholas Beach and at around 1.30pm, Michael chose to go for a 2.2 mile walk back to the house, where he had left his phone. His wife and the other couple returned to the property, however when the 67-year-old author failed to return by 7.30pm, Clare raised the alarm of his disappearance.

After leaving the beach, Dr Mosley headed towards the village of Pedi. CCTV then picked him up walking unimpeded through the village, holding a purple umbrella to help shield himself from the scorching rays amid a heatwave. Footage showed the presenter walking in 37C towards a mountainous path at about 2pm local time.

He had a rucksack and was carrying water and a biscuit ( 
Image:
FACEBOOK/UNPIXS)

The broadcaster was 67 when he sadly died ( 
Image:
John Rogers/BBC/PA)
The last sighting was security camera footage from a house at the end of the bay in Pedi, which showed him striding up a hill towards Agia Marina. The grainy footage is believed to show him in the distance making his way down before he disappears behind the wall.

His remains were found around a 30-minute walk from the village of Pedi, where Dr Mosley was seen on CCTV. The grim discovery came several days after an extensive search by rescue teams, who deployed divers, helicopters, a sniffer dog and drones to find the missing star.

Just a day earlier, search teams, including Clare and their four adult children, had reportedly been within 350ft of his body as they retraced his steps. An emergency helicopter circled the wider Pedi area for several hours and even hovered over the spot where his body was discovered.

It was instead a TV crew that spotted his body, found beneath a fenced perimeter that runs around a bar on Agia Marina beach, which is surrounded by hilly, rocky terrain. Ilias Haskas, deputy mayor of the island, said the TV crew of ERT were filming on the boat when they caught an image of something that looked like clothing.

His body was found between the two concrete posts at Agia Marina, Symi ( 
Image:
Tim Merry/Mirror Express)
He said: “They went back to their work headquarters to analyse the footage and concluded that it needed further investigation so they did, and they found him was 10m away from the shore, not far away from Agia marina.” A local cameraman, known as Antonios, said he spotted “something on the beach near the fence.”

Unable to work out what the figure was, he took two pictures using his long-distance camera lens. Sky News reports that he “took a picture of the photo on the camera screen using an iPhone – zooming in on the phone.” The cameraman said it was just “bad luck” that rescue helicopters had missed his body, which he claimed they had passed “20 times” on Saturday.

The doctor’s body was found alongside his umbrella, while his backpack was spotted 20ft away, but it is unclear why it wasn’t next to him. Max Stephens, a reporter for The Telegraph, described the moments after his remains were spotted. He said he watched forensics search through the contents of the backpack.

He wrote: “For 40 minutes, forensic experts examined the scene and searched through the contents of Dr Mosley’s black backpack bag which lay around 20ft away.” Just moments away from the sea, it is believed Dr Mosley was looking to cool down by the water but tragically collapsed in the heat after going the wrong way home.

A map of the Greek island of Symi ( 
Image:
Press Association Images)
Confirming her husband had died, Clare released a statement that said: “It’s devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband. We had an incredibly lucky life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together. I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience and support over the past days.

“My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world. It’s clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you. We’re taking comfort in the fact that he so very nearly made it. He did an incredible climb, took the wrong route and collapsed where he couldn’t be easily seen by the extensive search team.”

She added: “Michael was an adventurous man, it’s part of what made him so special. We are so grateful to the extraordinary people on Symi who have worked tirelessly to help find him. Some of these people on the island, who hadn’t even heard of Michael, worked from dawn till dusk unasked. We’re also very grateful to the press who have dealt with us with great respect. I feel so lucky to have our children and my amazing friends. Most of all, I feel so lucky to have had this life with Michael. Thank you all.”

An American citizen has been sentenced to prison in Russia for “espionage”.

Gene Spektor, a businessman who was born and raised in Russia before moving to the US and becoming a citizen, was already serving a prison sentence on a bribery conviction when he was arrested on an espionage charge last year.

RIA Novosti reports Moscow City Court has now sentenced him to 15 years behind bars. Giving the verdict, the judge said: “To sentence Spektor to 13 years’ imprisonment… together (with the previous sentence) to finally sentence him to 15 years’ imprisonment in a maximum security penal colony.”

The court also upheld a fine of 14million rubles (£111,000) from the previous verdict. All of the hearings, apart from the verdict, were held behind closed doors.

Moscow City Court (file) ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

In 2021, Spektor pleaded guilty to mediating a bribe for an aide to a Russian deputy prime minister while he was chairman of the board of the Medpolimerprom group of companies in Russia. Spektor was accused of mediating a bribe in the form of two holiday packages to Thailand and the Dominican Republic worth 4million rubles (£32,000) in 2015 and 2016

He was initially sentenced to four years in prison, but was retried on a technicality and received a new sentence of three-and-a-half years behind bars in September 2022.

Spektor was bon in Leningrad. He is reportedly married to a Russian woman and had lived in St Petersburg for five years prior to his initial arrest.

RIA Novosti previously reported he had complained to a human rights activist about being held in cold conditions at a pre-trial detention centre following his arrest. But Alexey Melnikov, executive secretary of the public monitoring commission of Moscow, refuted this at the time.

He said: “He has board games, a TV, a refrigerator, a kettle. He prefers financial literature and books about new technologies.”

Spektor told his lawyer that he considered his arrest politically motivated and illegal.

A man dressed in military uniform with a ginger beard and smile on his face stood out to royal family fans as he arrived at the Princess of Wales’ Christmas carol concert.

Many viewers would be forgiven for thinking Prince William and Prince Harry reunited for the occasion at Westminster Abbey. Kate hosted the festive event earlier this month and invited 1,600 people to the celebration. Her annual Together At Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey followed her difficult year of health battles and preventative chemotherapy treatment.

She was joined by her husband Prince William as well as their three children – George, Charlotte and Louis. The Princess has been slowly returning to royal duties and made sure to carry on her Christmas tradition. Ahead of the concert airing on TV, a trailer showed a doppelganger of Prince Harry.

The man, who was dressed in a RAF ceremonial uniform of the British Army, looked uncannily like the Prince as he appeared 35 seconds into the clip. However, it wasn’t the real Prince Harry as he has chosen to spend the festive period in California with wife Meghan Markle and their two children – Archie and Lilibet.

King Charles has reportedly shared his sad wish about not seeing his grandchildren over Christmas. He has only seen Archie in person a handful of times and Lilibet just once after she was born. A source recently told the Mirror US: “King Charles has expressed his wishes to see his grandchildren – and there’s no better time than the festive period to bring families together.

The lookalike confused some viewers

Prince Harry is spending Christmas in California ( 
Image:
AFP/Getty Images)
“There is no feeling like being a grandparent and it is a role King Charles relishes. It is his hope for his family to be reunited and there’s no better way than spending quality time with his grandchildren at Christmas. It would be truly special. There’s nothing King Charles wants more than to see see his family united, and for his sons to put the past behind them and move forward. These are his twilight years and he wants to enjoy them with his grandchildren making special memories.”

Ahead of the concert airing on TV, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a new clip from the evening. Kate also included a personal message from herself as she said: “Across the United Kingdom, there are so many inspiring people embracing those in need. This carol service is a heartfelt celebration of everyone of you and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other. Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light. I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.”

Alongside the video, the post read: “Join us on @ITVand @ITVX for the Together at Christmas Carol Service at 7.30pm this evening. This service reflects upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this year’s celebrations.”

Kensington Palace said Kate wanted the theme of this year’s carol service to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy.

Among the nation’s favourite Christmas films are classics such as Home Alone, Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf and A Christmas Carol – but it would seem that Queen Elizabeth’s favourite festive flick was far from traditional.

It was revealed by one of the lead actors himself that the monarch used to sit down every year with her grandchildren to watch the film. You may have assumed that the late Queen’s Christmas movie of choice would have been something incredibly traditional, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. And while the monarch had an unconventional favourite, her grandson, Prince William, has a soft spot for a Christmas classic.

According to a very well-placed source, the late Queen’s favourite festive film was… Flash Gordon. And while the movie wouldn’t typically fall into the category of Christmas films that the nation return to year in, year out, the Prince of Wales’ choice is far more traditional.

The 1980s sci-fi adventure film which stars Sam Jones and Brian Blessed is about football player Flash and his friends who travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting against Ming the Merciless to save Earth.

The Queen’s favourite was certainly an unconventional choice ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

The surprising revelation came directly from 88-year-old Brian Blessed who took on the role of Prince Vultan in the movie. Speaking a few years ago, Blessed said: “The Queen, it’s her favourite film, she watches it with her grandchildren every Christmas.”

He then added, impersonating the late monarch, saying: “You know, we watch Flash Gordon all the time, me and the grandchildren. And if you don’t mind, I’ve got the grandchildren here, would you mind saying ‘Gordon’s alive’?”

Unlike his grandmother, Prince William’s top Christmas movie is the 2003 hit Elf starring Will Ferrell.

During a Christmas interview with young children for the Royal Marsden Hospital radio station, William revealed: “I would have to say, probably Elf. It’s very funny and I keep watching it every Christmas and it still makes me laugh.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the Prince – who has been the President of The Royal Marsden since 2007 – was asked what his favourite Christmas song is.

Speaking to host Barry Alston, Prince William said: “For this particular chat with you Barry, I’m gonna say ‘Feliz Navidad’ is my favourite Christmas song because it’s a bit different. I could say Mariah Carey, who I love dearly as well. That’s a good one and obviously there are many others, but I think I’ll probably go with ‘Feliz Navidad.’ It’s a bit more jolly.”