Kate in a TV preview of her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Photo: ITV
Kate in a TV preview of her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Photo: ITV
Kate in a TV preview of her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Photo: ITV
Kate in a TV preview of her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Photo: ITV

Kate, Princess of Wales, dazzles again in red ahead of Christmas carol service


Katy Gillett
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It seems red is Kate, Princess of Wales's colour this season, as she's dazzled once again in a sequinned dress as part of ITV's preview of her Christmas carol service.

Only days after Kate stepped out in a glittering full-length Jenny Packham gown for a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace, she opted for a mid-length dress worth £460 ($564) by British contemporary brand Needle & Thread.

  • Catherine, Princess of Wales, at the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace on December 6, 2022. Getty
    Catherine, Princess of Wales, at the Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace on December 6, 2022. Getty
  • Prince William's wife looks stately at the reception. Getty
    Prince William's wife looks stately at the reception. Getty
  • Prince William's wife looks stately at the reception. Getty
    Prince William's wife looks stately at the reception. Getty
  • Kate speaks to guests at Buckingham Palace. Getty
    Kate speaks to guests at Buckingham Palace. Getty
  • Kate speaks to guests at Buckingham Palace. Getty
    Kate speaks to guests at Buckingham Palace. Getty
  • The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the reception behind Queen Consort Camilla. PA
    The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the reception behind Queen Consort Camilla. PA
  • King Charles III and the Queen Consort make a grand entrance. PA
    King Charles III and the Queen Consort make a grand entrance. PA
  • Queen Consort Camilla at the reception. Getty
    Queen Consort Camilla at the reception. Getty
  • King Charles greets guests to Buckingham Palace. Getty
    King Charles greets guests to Buckingham Palace. Getty
  • King Charles greets guests to Buckingham Palace. AP
    King Charles greets guests to Buckingham Palace. AP

The gown, which she wore during a state reception in January 2020, features a cinched bodice adorned with sequins and long sheer sleeves in floral appliques.

She's posing in front of a Christmas tree in a festive portrait to promote Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, the second annual carol concert sponsored by The Royal Foundation and organised and hosted by the Princess of Wales. It takes place on Thursday and will also be attended by her husband Prince William, as well as King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort.

Other members of the royal family, charity staff, volunteers, military personnel and frontline workers will also be there.

"Join us this Christmas Eve for a very special service at Westminster Abbey, full of festive carols and beautiful performances, as we celebrate what makes this the most wonderful time of year," Kate says in the promo, which will be broadcast on Sunday evening.

This year, the programme pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September, and carols will be sung by the abbey's choir, alongside performances and readings by special guests.

"This year's carol service is dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the values Her Majesty demonstrated throughout her life, including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others," said a release by Buckingham Palace.

"These principles are shared and personified by the inspirational guests who have been invited to the Abbey in recognition of their tireless work to help and care for those around them."

Last year, the service paid homage to people and organisations who helped their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kate again opted for red, wearing a coat dress by Catherine Walker and red pumps by her footwear go-to Gianvito Rossi.

Kate's best Boston fashion moments, including wearing Princess Diana's jewellery — in pictures

  • Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate arrive for the second annual The Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony at MGM Music Hall on December 2, 2022, in Boston, US. All photos: AP
    Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate arrive for the second annual The Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony at MGM Music Hall on December 2, 2022, in Boston, US. All photos: AP
  • Kate, Princess of Wales, wears a bright green off-the-shoulder gown from Solace London with an emerald choker and matching earrings that belonged to Princess Diana
    Kate, Princess of Wales, wears a bright green off-the-shoulder gown from Solace London with an emerald choker and matching earrings that belonged to Princess Diana
  • The Princess of Wales visits the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University in Cambridge wearing a houndstooth dress from Emilia Wickstead
    The Princess of Wales visits the Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University in Cambridge wearing a houndstooth dress from Emilia Wickstead
  • Prince William and Kate visit the Young Mothers programme at the anti-violence group Roca in Boston
    Prince William and Kate visit the Young Mothers programme at the anti-violence group Roca in Boston
  • The Princess of Wales waves as she leaves after a visit to Roca
    The Princess of Wales waves as she leaves after a visit to Roca
  • Prince William and Kate visit the Harbor Defences of Boston
    Prince William and Kate visit the Harbor Defences of Boston
  • The Princess of Wales wears a wool coat from Alexander McQueen over a ribbed orange turtleneck and a matching midi skirt from Gabriela Hearst
    The Princess of Wales wears a wool coat from Alexander McQueen over a ribbed orange turtleneck and a matching midi skirt from Gabriela Hearst
  • From left, former Celtics player and coach Tom 'Satch' Sanders; Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate; and Emilia Fazzalari, wife of Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck watch an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat
    From left, former Celtics player and coach Tom 'Satch' Sanders; Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate; and Emilia Fazzalari, wife of Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck watch an NBA basketball game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat
  • The Princess of Wales wears a vintage Chanel blazer
    The Princess of Wales wears a vintage Chanel blazer
  • The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Boston Logan International Airport at the start of their US trip
    The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Boston Logan International Airport at the start of their US trip
  • Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales speak with Massachusetts Governor-Elect Maura Healey
    Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales speak with Massachusetts Governor-Elect Maura Healey
  • The Princess of Wales chose a green Burberry dress for a meeting with Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu
    The Princess of Wales chose a green Burberry dress for a meeting with Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu

Tales of Yusuf Tadros

Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)

Hoopoe

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

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Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

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Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

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9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Updated: December 11, 2022, 6:43 AM