HRH Princess Alexandra is to be the guest of honour at the annual advent service held in the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London, sung by the cathedral choir on December 2.

The service, hosted by Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, brings together supporters of the cathedral from across London and the southeast and is attended by up to 600 guests. The service opens with an act of remembrance at the memorial to the Special Air Service members killed in the Second World War, one of the few memorials to the regiment outside Herefordshire. The service then follows that of the traditional advent format.

"The Princess came to our service in 2011 and we are delighted that Her Royal Highness is able to join us once again," said Glyn Morgan, Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. "It is an immense honour, and I hope that this is a reflection of the wonderful evening that it will be."

"The Guards’ Chapel is a very special place and, with our own local links to the military, I know that this year’s service will be very special. As well as it being the centenary of the start of the First World War, we will be remembering the Christmas Truce, which took place in December 1914, and the 70th anniversary of the bombing and near destruction of the Guards’ Chapel during the Second World War."

The hour-long service, after which the Princess will meet the choir, is followed by a reception in the officers’ mess. Invitations and booking forms are available from the Perpetual Trust office (01432 374261, email perpetual.trust@herefordcathedral.org) and can be downloaded from the cathedral website (www.herefordcathedral.org).