But the royals were out in full force as 26 members of the Firm attended the annual key fixture in the royal calendar.
These included the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their stepson Christopher Woolf Mapelli Mozzi, Zara Tindall, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, George and Lyla Gilman, the Duke of Kent, Lady Helen Taylor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Marina Charlotte Windsor, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Windsor, Lord Frederick and Lady Sophie Windsor, Maud Windsor, Lady Sarah Chatto, Daniel Chatto and Samuel Chatto.
A total of 1,600 guests who have all supported others, whether friends or family and helped individuals through their work or volunteered attended the service tonight.
Among the celebrities who gathered in the 1,600-strong congregation were Strictly star Amy Dowden, TV presenter Kate Garraway, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra, and Giovanna and Tom Fletcher.
This year’s decorations featured a colour scheme of red and green, with the wreaths adorned with red ribbons and bows.
Christmas trees inside and outside the abbey were from Windsor Great Park and donated by the King.
Festive wreaths adorned with red ribbons and bows were made and donated by Fantasy Greens, a UK-based company, and the abbey was transformed with a Christmassy red-and-green colour scheme.
A Kindness tree from Windsor, which was adorned with red labels, featured dedications personally written from guests to people who have shown love, empathy and kindness, was also inside.
Inside the Abbey, beautifully lit crystal chandeliers hung from the 100ft Gothic vault created a relaxing atmosphere, as their warm hue perfectly complimented the dozens of Christmas trees.
Outside the gothic church in central London were foliage and trees collected from woodlands to create a natural, forest-like feel.
After the service, all the trees and wreaths will be donated to local charities to enjoy over Christmas.
