Princess Catherine’s annual Christmas carol service is a typically star-studded affair.
Last year’s event at Westminster Abbey was attended by Richard E Grant, Kate Garraway, and Lorraine Kelly, among others, while Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter rounded out the list of performers.
But one guest, in particular, captured the nation’s attention when royal fans noticed Prince Harry’s doppelganger in the television trailer for the festive programme.
Social media users analysed the man’s light, gingery beard, military uniform, and cheerful demeanour and declared it was a Christmas miracle that the estranged royal was back in the UK for the service.
However, the lookalike was later identified as Sgt Chris Dykes, a 38-year-old reservist in the RAF, while the real Prince Harry was more than 5,000 miles away in California with the Duchess of Sussex and their two children.
One year later, Chris told the Daily Mail that the ‘Harry jokes have slowly died out’ and the buzz is ‘wearing off’ while adding he is looking forward to a ‘quieter Christmas’ after he was thrust into the spotlight.
‘Unfortunately, I still don’t see the resemblance,’ he laughed. ‘I think it was more a case of mistaken ginger identity, with the stubble going on and it simply being at a royal event in uniform.’
While he won’t be heading to the carol service this year, Chris said he’s looking forward to watching the royal Christmas concert when it is broadcast on December 24.
Royal fans did a double-take when they spotted a cheerful-looking Chris in the trailer for last year’s edition of the concert on ITV.
But it was quickly revealed by the Daily Mail that the mystery man was not Prince Harry but Chris, a member of 622 Volunteer Gliding Squad based at Upavon, near Pewsey in Wiltshire.
The squadron was formed 80 years ago and is made up of volunteers and provides glider training in the Grob G103A aircraft known as a Viking T1.
In recognition of his service, Chris – who has just been promoted – was asked by his commanding officer if he would like to go to the service and represent the squadron and was delighted to accept.
However, it was a ‘bit of a shock’ when he woke up on Christmas Eve and saw himself all over the news, he reflected on the viral moment.
Asked about the reaction, Chris told this newspaper his fellow squadron members have nicknamed him Sgt Harry and Sgt Windsor.
‘Someone suggested I should try my luck as a look-a-like,’ he said at the time.
Chris, who transports luxury cars for a living, resides in Monmouth, south Wales.
While he hasn’t had any offers to pose as Harry, Chris told the Daily Mail he has had a very fruitful year on his squadron since being promoted to a Grade 1 pilot with the Volunteer Gliding Squad.
Asked whether he will be tuning into the carol concert this year, he replied: ‘From my experience, it had a majestic sense of what the Christmas spirit is about – focusing on the sacrifice of others – so I will definitely be watching it again this year.’
‘It will be interesting to see if anyone else pops up this year!’
While there may not be another royal lookalike in the crowd, the Princess has lined up a starry cast for her forthcoming Christmas carol concert as she celebrates the ‘power of love and togetherness’.
With readings by the likes of Kate Winslet, performances by Hannah Waddingham, and Bastille’s Dan Smith – and wreaths made by Dame Mary Berry – the concert will kick off the royals’ festive celebrations in style.
The event is spearheaded by the Princess and supported by the Waleses philanthropic arm, The Royal Foundation.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said this year’s service will ‘bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms’ with 1,600 guests expected to attend the regal concert.
‘Whether it is love within families, through friendships, across communities, or powerful moments of kindness between strangers.
‘The evening will highlight the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence, and joy,’ the statement read.
In particular, the service will celebrate individuals from across the UK who may have dedicated or volunteered their time to be present with others, led initiatives that bring people in their community together, or offered a helping hand to those around them.
The Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English confirmed that Prince William will also give a reading at the service.
The couple are expected to be accompanied by their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Prince Louis.
The event will be broadcast as part of Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, a special programme airing on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve, with a repeat showing on Christmas Day morning.
