Moment Princess of Wales surprises teen at Christmas party | UK News

Kate Middleton surprised a teenage boy and his childhood football coach at a Christmas tea party ahead of her televised carol service this evening.

In the video, Kate met 13-year-old Rico and his coach Russell Gray, 70, and discussed Mr Gray helped build Rico’s confidence through football.

The video will be played as part of the Princess of Wales’ televised carol service, Together At Christmas, which airs on ITV1 and ITVX this evening.

This year the carol service will focus on the importance of early childhood and thank those who are supporting the very youngest members of society during their early years, as part of the Shaping Us campaign.

In the footage, the princess asked Rico: ‘Seeing and building this relationship with Mr Gray, has it helped you with your own relationships with your friends?’

Rico replied: ‘It’s like, brought trust because if you can trust one person then you trust more people.’

Mr Gray added: ‘If you can teach them self reliance, responsibility, increase their self esteem, which football and teamwork does all that, then you’ve done a good job.

‘You should try and give something back and especially to children because that’s where it all starts.’

Kate hosted her Together At Christmas event earlier this month, welcoming her family, members of the monarchy and guests, and it will be broadcast tonight.

It will feature additional material including films emphasising the importance of early childhood and contributions from celebrities such as Rio and Kate Ferdinand and Dame Sheila Hancock.

Kate was joined at the carol service by her husband the Prince of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Among the 1,500 guests were midwives, nursery teachers and baby bank volunteers.

The highlight of the show was a poignant musical tribute paid to John Lennon and George Michael, with the concert held 43 years to the day the former Beatle was shot dead on December 8, 1980.

Royal Carols: Together At Christmas will screen at 7.45pm on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.

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