The Princess of Wales has arrived at Westminster Abbey ahead of the start of her annual Christmas carol service.
Kate, 42, was joined by her family, including the Prince of Wales, 42, and their children George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six.
William and the royal children arrived after visiting the Kindness tree by the abbey’s great west door and hung messages on its branches dedicated to someone who had supported them in their lives in keeping with the service’s theme of love and empathy.
William and Kate by the Kindness tree with their children. Pic: Reuters
Kate was pictured welcoming her guests and talking to attendees, all 1,600 of whom received their invites as they had supported others in some way.
In a message sent ahead of the service, Kate said Christmas is a moment of “celebration and joy” as well as an “opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all”.
She added: “Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year.”
The princess, who has been hosting the Together at Christmas Carol service for the past four years, announced last month she had completed chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Pic: PA
Prince William arrives for the service with Charlotte, George and Louis. Pic: Reuters
She has been gradually returning to public duties after revealing in March that pre-cancerous cells were found following an abdominal surgery and was undergoing preventative treatment.
In a health update in September, Kate said she had finished the treatment and her focus was to “stay cancer free”.
The Princess of Wales talks with Paloma Faith at Westminster Abbey. Pic: Reuters
Kate with an attendee of the Together At Christmas event. Pic: Reuters
In November, she joined other senior royals for Remembrance Day services, while in October she made a surprise visit to the families of the victims of the Southport attack.
In her letter to the carol-goers, Kate seemed to hint toward the struggles the royal family has faced over the past year, with the King also being diagnosed with cancer.
William and Kate with their children at the annual carol service. Pic: Reuters
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Watch Kate’s family video in full
“Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times,” she wrote.
Prince William recently described the past year as “brutal” and probably “the hardest year in my life”.
Kate with Gregory Porter, Olivia Dean and Paloma Faith. Pic: Reuters
At the service on Friday evening, singers Gregory Porter and Paloma Faith are expected to perform.
Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, will light a candle as will Lindsey Burrow, the wife of former Rugby League star Rob Burrow who died in June with motor neurone disease.
The event will be broadcast as part of the programme Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, screened on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve, and it will feature three films about the stories of people and organisations who have inspired, counselled and comforted others in their times of need.
