Kate's Parents Carole and Michael Middleton Attend Christmas Service

The royal family was out in full force tonight for Kate Middleton's annual Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey and joining them, notably, was the Middleton family—including Kate's parents, Carole and Michael, and her sister, Pippa. (It's unclear if James Middleton attended, but he and his wife, Alizee Thevnet, just became new parents—so perhaps they decided to stay home with their new baby boy, Inigo.)

Carole and Michael Middleton walked into Westminster Abbey together. Carole, like her daughters Kate and Pippa, opted to wear festive pants instead of a dress for the occasion. (Last year, the three Middleton women all wore coat dresses.) The Middleton matriarch wore a tweed jacket over a black velvet jumpsuit, and carried a small, black box clutch—one that appears to be very similar to a bespoke Alexander McQueen black velvet clutch that Kate has carried numerous times, including to the Top Gun premiere last year:

Did Carole borrow her daughter’s clutch?

It wouldn't be the first time Carole turned to Kate's closet—last year, at the Royal Ascot, Carole seemingly wore one of Kate's ME+EM dresses.

The Wales family at the "Together At Christmas" Carol Service at Westminster Abbey.

This year's Christmas Carol service was all about supporting children. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said, "this Christmas, as we reflect upon the past year and look towards the future, let’s cherish the importance of new life and the remember the unique hope that this brings." As the theme was focused on young children, it made sense that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis were all in attendance this evening.

Emily Burack

Senior News Editor

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.