Walpole, the trade body named for Britain's first prime minister, holds its Christmas Carol Service at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, on Wednesday 2 December 2026.
Walpole, the body that speaks for 270 British luxury brands, holds its Christmas Carol Service at St James’s Palace in St James’s on Wednesday 2 December 2026. The service takes place in the Chapel Royal.
The membership began with a handful of founding companies in 1990. Two years later it took the name of Robert Walpole, generally counted the first British prime minister. For more than thirty years it has convened people who would not otherwise share a room.
Its brands work across manufacturing, hospitality, retail, the arts and design, a sector valued at £48 billion to the economy in 2019. Most of Walpole’s year goes on trade policy, tax, skills and export campaigning.
The carol service is the one Walpole evening in the year with no shortlist and no winner. It falls in December, when the trading year is effectively finished, and the members who come sing rather than compete.
Figures from across the membership give the readings, with music between them. A reception follows the service.