14 November 2023
Gyles Brandreth, Dr Hilary Jones and Emma Brown announced as Carol Service special guests
The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation is delighted to announce that Gyles Brandreth, Dr Hilary Jones MBE and Emma Brown will be joining us for our annual Commemorations at Christmas Carol Service on 29 November 2023 at the Guards’ Chapel in London.
Following on from our first Carol Service last year, we know this year will be as everything as magical as before, in the perfect setting for reflection and remembrance at Christmas time.
Carol Service 2023 Special Guests
Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth is a writer, broadcaster, actor, former MP and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, now Chancellor of the University of Chester and, with his daughter, Aphra Brandreth, host of the Commonwealth Poetry Podcast, celebrating the people and poetry of the 56 Commonwealth nations.
Gyles is a star of Celebrity Gogglebox, a veteran of QI and Have I Got News For You, a reporter on The One Show, a regular on This Morning, and since the 1980s one of the stars of Just a Minute on BBC Radio 4. His most recent book is an acclaimed biography of Queen Elizabeth II: Elizabeth: an intimate portrait.
Dr Hilary Jones
Dr Hilary Jones MBE is a general practitioner, presenter and writer on medical issues.
Since 1993, Hilary has featured regularly on Good Morning Britain (formerly GMTV) and co-presented The Health Show. He’s a regular guest on Steve Wright’s BBC Radio 2 programme and has participated on Dancing on Ice.
His most recent book, Frontline, follows a love story at a field hospital during the First World War.
Emma Brown
Emma Brown is an English mezzo-soprano who sings internationally, focusing on oratorios, concerts, remembrance, and supporting NGOs. She has performed in Mongolia and Vietnam with orphans and street children for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, and in Nepal for the Gurkha Welfare Trust, as well as across Europe for remembrance ceremonies.
In 2019, Emma sang in the presence of King Charles and Queen Camilla at the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. Earlier this year, she sang for the CWGC at the reopening of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
We hope you can join us in the spectacular setting of the Guards’ Chapel, London on Wednesday 29th November.
There are two ticket types available:
- Carol Service ticket – £30 - This ticket will give you entry into our magical Carol Service, Commemorations at Christmas, held at the beautiful Guards’ Chapel (The Royal Military Chapel) in London, featuring a commemorative order of service, live performances from our very special guests, music, well-known carols, plus our specially commissioned Commonwealth War Graves Commission carol.
- Carol Service and Reception ticket – £80 - With a Carol Service and Reception ticket you will have entry to the Christmas Carol Service with designated seating, and enjoy all the beautiful performances and service. You will also have the chance to join our VIP guests and CWGC staff for canapes, mulled wine, and mince pies in the intimate setting of the Officers’ Mess after the Carol Service. The reception begins after the service and finishes at 9.30 pm (18+ only).
Tickets are selling fast, so be sure to grab yours today to avoid disappointment.