A Magical Evening at the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Candlelit Christmas Concert

Last night, the Royal Commonwealth Society welcomed guests to a truly enchanting celebration at our Candlelit Christmas Concert, held in the beautiful surroundings of St James’s Piccadilly.

St James's Piccadilly in Candlelight

Illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight, the evening brought together High Commissioners, RCS Ambassadors, Trustees, friends, volunteers, and supporters of the Society to mark the festive season.

From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was alive with anticipation and Christmas cheer. Soft lights, welcoming smiles and the gentle bustle of the audience set the stage for an evening that promised to be both uplifting and memorable. The concert began with a warm introduction from the evening’s ever-witty host, Gyles Brandreth.

Gyles Brandreth enthralling the audience

The musical programme opened with the enchanting collaboration of Rekesh Chauhan and Alok Verma. Their combination of piano and tabla created a unique sound, offering an exceptional blend of styles that drew listeners in from the very first notes. Spencer Klymyshyn followed with a thoughtful and expressive performance of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. Then, Aivale Cole, filling the space with her radiant voice, shared carols in both English and Samoan. She performed both solo and accompanied by Spencer and Francesca Lauri.

Aivale Cole accompanied by Spencer Klymyshyn

Braimah and Jeneba Kanneh-Mason then took to the stage and delivered a violin and piano duo that left a lasting impression. Their performances of Chopin and Grieg carried a striking sense of drama, earning the full attention of the audience. Festive spirit returned with Clara Calleja whose warm delivery of Christmas classics brought smiles and a sense of seasonal joy.

Clara Calleja

Threaded through the music were moments of quiet contemplation. Readings led by Geri Halliwell-Horner and Ayesha Dharker, both ambassadors for the Royal Commonwealth Society, offered thoughtful insight and brought these themes gently to the fore.

Geri Halliwell-Horner giving a reading from Julia Donaldson's The Christmas Pine

The evening concluded with all performers and hosts joining together, inviting the audience to raise their voices for a lively rendition of Ding Dong Merrily on High. It was a joyful finale that captured the spirit of the night and celebrated the sense of community at the heart of the occasion.

Performer's Singing Ding Dong Merrily on High

The Royal Commonwealth Society extends its sincere thanks to everyone who made the event such a success through attending and donating. We are especially grateful to our performers who represented all five regions of the Commonwealth, and whose dedication and artistry made the evening so memorable. We also thank our volunteers, trustees and staff, whose hard work behind the scenes ensured everything ran seamlessly.

It was a successful fundraising event for the RCS and it helps us hugely with the work we are doing championing education, equality, protecting the environment and engaging with young people across the Commonwealth. We really do believe the Commonwealth can be a powerful force for good in these current times.

We look forward to welcoming you to future Royal Commonwealth Society events in 2026.

To support our work, please visit https://www.royalcwsociety.org/support-our-work