Princess Kate returned to public life on Friday, hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey after a year largely spent away due to a cancer diagnosis, as reported by ABC news.
The Princess of Wales was accompanied by her husband, Prince William, and their children, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte. Kate wore a red coat with a black bow and black boots.
The hour-long service, attended by over 1,000 guests and other royals, centered on the themes of love and empathy. Attendees included survivors of a July knife attack at a UK dance school event that left three children dead and nine injured.
Kate sat with her family during the service and was seen guiding young Prince Louis during a candlelight exchange. The service, titled “Royal Carols: Together at Christmas,” is set to air on Christmas Eve in the UK.
This year’s service “shine[s] a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness, and empathy towards others in their communities,” according to Kensington Palace.
Kate’s return is a significant milestone after announcing her cancer diagnosis in March. She had abdominal surgery in January, and cancer was found during follow-up tests. The type of cancer and treatment details have not been shared publicly.
In September, Kate shared a video message saying she completed chemotherapy and was focusing on staying “cancer free” and returning to her royal duties. Since then, she has gradually increased her public appearances, including visiting the site of the July knife attack and welcoming Qatar’s leader to the UK.
In 2021, Kate played the piano at the carol service, performing “For Those Who Can’t Be Here” with Tom Walker. The annual service has become a royal Christmas tradition since Kate launched it in 2021.
