An Abergavenny businessman received the Royal seal of approval when he was invited to attend the Royal Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey last week.

Keith Davies of Abergavenny Electrics, received the invitation from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after being nominated by Lord Lieutenant of Monmouthshire to represent Monmouthshire and Gwent.

Keith was nominated for his continued charity work in the local area, having raised £392,000 with his Elvis Presley tribute act.

His latest concert in Crickhowell on Saturday December 11 sold out with another £3,000 being raised for local charities.

One of those local charities was Jacob’s Fight, raising money for Abergavenny boy Jacob Jones who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 2017.

Keith is no stranger to Westminster having been awarded a British Citizens Award in 2019 for his charity work, before being made an Ambassador for the BCA in 2020.

The Carol Service which took place on the evening of Wednesday December 8 was hosted by the Duchess of Cambridge and was led by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who welcomed the congregation to the Abbey and pronounced the Blessing.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge and Paralympian Kim Daybell gave readings from St Luke’s Gospel.

There was music from Leona Lewis who sang ‘O holy night’; and from Ellie Goulding who sang ‘Have yourselves a merry little Christmas’.

Author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay read his own composition, commissioned for the service, reflecting on love and togetherness at Christmas.

Actor Tom Felton read ‘A letter from a soldier to his sister at Christmas’; and broadcaster Kate Garraway read Christina Rossetti’s poem ‘Love came down at Christmas’. The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey directed by James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers.

The organ was played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, and before the service by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist.

After attending the event in London with his partner Barbara Lane, Keith said of the service: “It was a fantastic evening, wonderfully organised and very enjoyable as everyone got into festive spirit.

“The Duke and Duchess were was brilliant going around and speaking to so many people it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and was a real honour and privilege to be able to represent Monmouthshire.”

The service will be broadcast in the UK on ITV at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve.