Adam Lambert received a holiday invitation he simply couldn’t turn down. The American Idol alum and current frontman for Queen revealed on Instagram that he was “thrilled” to be personally invited by Catherine, Princess of Wales to perform at her annual Christmas program in London for a distinguished group of guests.
Lambert, 41, arrived at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023, dressed in a striking emerald green suit paired with gold glitter platform shoes. While he has performed for the royal family before during his years touring with Queen, he shared that this occasion felt entirely different.
Adam Lambert Describes Meeting Princess Kate as “Lovely”
Lambert was personally selected to perform at Princess Kate’s third annual Together at Christmas carol service, which is set to air on ITV on Christmas Eve. Ahead of the concert, the Princess met privately with the invited performers, including the Westminster Abbey choir, Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings, and Jim Broadbent.
“I had the honor of meeting Catherine, Princess of Wales,” Lambert shared. “She personally chose the performers she wanted at the service, and it was wonderful to spend time with her before going onstage.”
He added that being invited by Princess Kate to sing at such a meaningful event was “incredibly flattering.”
During the service, Lambert—who finished as runner-up on Season 8 of American Idol—performed a duet of “The Christmas Song” alongside British singer-songwriter Beverley Knight. The performance took place shortly before Prince William delivered a Bible reading. According to attendees, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ children—George, Charlotte, and Louis—watched the performance with rapt attention.
The event also supported Princess Kate’s Shaping Us campaign, launched in early 2023 to promote early childhood development. Speaking about the initiative, she previously emphasized the importance of helping parents and caregivers create safe, nurturing environments for young children, especially during challenging times.
A Performance in a Place Steeped in History
Despite performing on some of the world’s biggest stages, Lambert admitted that singing inside Westminster Abbey was especially meaningful. While he had previously performed for the royal family during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, he noted that he was positioned far from the royal box at that event.
Westminster Abbey holds immense royal significance, having hosted the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011 and the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023. The Abbey has also been the coronation site for 40 monarchs since 1066.
“It’s a place I’ve seen for years in photos and on television, but never visited in person,” Lambert said. “Being there was absolutely breathtaking.”
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our special carol service, Together at Christmas.
From the performers whose voices filled Westminster Abbey, to the early years workforce of carers, midwives, nurses and so many more who are not only making a difference to children… pic.twitter.com/JxTFfabG0x
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 8, 2023
A lifelong admirer of history and architecture, Lambert shared that he took time after rehearsal to explore the Abbey on his own, soaking in the centuries of legacy surrounding him—from royal tombs to the resting places of poets and historic figures.
He also noted the calm, almost meditative atmosphere during the performance.
“It was very still,” he said, “and that really settled my energy. The song felt like a lullaby.”
Lambert isn’t the only American Idol star to receive a royal invitation this year. Earlier in 2023, fellow judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie were invited to attend King Charles’ coronation and perform during the celebrations that followed.