- The Princess of Wales's carol concert will return to ITV on Christmas Eve
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The Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas carol concert this year, with the service reflecting on 'how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives'.
Kate, who is recovering from cancer after what the Prince of Wales described as a 'brutal' year, is going ahead with her televised festive event at Westminster Abbey on December 6 after months of speculation, Kensington Palace has announced.
The future queen posted a teaser video on X of her official royal invitations being printed for select individuals.
Each invite contained Kate's elegant royal cypher, which is the initial C for Catherine underneath a crown, and the clip showed them being printed 'fresh off the press'.
The princess wrote: 'Something exciting is coming...
The Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas carol concert this year, Kensington Palace has announced. Pictured at the 2022 service
'The invitations are fresh off the press for this year's Together At Christmas Carol Service, which will be returning to Westminster Abbey on Friday 6 December.
'We can't wait for you to join us too! Tune in on @ITV and @ITVX on Christmas Eve.'
The video ended with the Kensington Palace logo, followed by falling snowflakes to mark the start of the festive season.
The princess set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service in 2024 despite the health challenges she has faced, and it forms part of her gradual return to public duties after finishing chemotherapy treatment in the summer.
The Palace said Kate, 42, who honoured the war dead at Remembrance events at the weekend, particularly wanted the service's theme to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy.
Kensington Palace said: 'This year's service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.
'The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.'
The Palace added: 'This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need - individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.
'This theme takes inspiration from the Christmas story which encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need of giving and receiving empathy.'
It will be the fourth time Kate has staged her Together At Christmas carol service, which is supported by The Royal Foundation.
The event will be filmed and broadcast as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.
The Princess of Wales has been inspired by the strength she has taken from her family during a difficult year for her annual carol service next month.
It is understood that the princess thinks extremely carefully about the theme for the service each year and that next month's event is 'particularly pertinent to her this year' given her cancer battle.
But sources also stressed that she wanted to reflect the personal challenges that others have gone through - or are still going through - as she has done with all her public messages throughout this year.
The Prince and Princess of Wales posted about the carol service on their official X account
Kate posted her invitations going out to select individuals on X
Kate showed her invitations being made 'hot off the press' on her official X account
She showed her personalised stamp which featured a C for Catherine underneath a crown
Insiders have told the Mail the event is a 'really big moment for her given that she is hosting the service and she is very much looking forward to it.'
In September the Princess announced that while she had thankfully finished a course of preventative chemotherapy after cancer was found following abdominal surgery in January, her return to public duties would continue to be slow and gradual for the rest of the year.
She made no secret of the heavy physical toll her health issues had taken, and of her concern to protect her three children throughout, praising her husband, Prince William, and her own family for their love and support.
It is understood that Kate has been hugely 'hands-on' throughout the planning process, regularly meeting with staff at Windsor.
The service will, Kensington Palace said, 'shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities'.
'It's been a focal point for her, as it is each year,' a source added.
Members of the royal family will gather with the princess as some 1,600 people fill the abbey in London to see musical performances by stars including Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter.
Among the invited guests will be those who have supported others, either on a personal level with friends and family, or through their work or volunteering.
Names have been nominated by charities associated with the royal family, and by Lord Lieutenants, the King's representatives in counties across the UK.
Kate is pictured at last year's Together At Christmas service with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
The clip showed the process that each invitation goes through to get the royal seal of approval
The short teaser clip ended with Kensington Palace's logo, followed by snowflakes to get people in the festive mood
The Princess of Wales, 42, continued her return to public duties as she attended Remembrance events over the weekend
The Middleton family, who are said to have been a great source of support to Kate during her illness, usually attend, and last year Kate and William brought along Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Decorations at the abbey will be inspired by nature and the service will combine traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none.
In addition, 15 Together At Christmas community carol services will be taking place across the UK including at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and Blackpool Tower Circus.
Hosted by Lord Lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation, each community service will recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others.
It comes after Kate appeared at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday night - her first high profile appearance since completing her chemotherapy treatment.
Kate was radiant as she cut a sleek figure in a black dress walking alongside Prince William into the lavish Kensington venue to celebrate Britain's servicemen and women.
The Princess of Wales then looked stylish as she arrived at the Cenotaph on Sunday, wearing a structured black coat and three-flowered fascinator as she joined her fellow royals to mark Remembrance Sunday.
The Princess of Wales' Together at Christmas service will be broadcast on ITV1 on Christmas Eve
The Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and the Princess of Wales are greeted by The Dean of Westminster ahead of the carol service in December 2023
The Princess of Wales (Pictured in 2023) has held her second official meeting since announcing she would be gradually returning to her official duties following cancer treatment
A photo issued by Kensington Palace of the Princess of Wales in Westminster Abbey, where the festivities are held every year - in 2022
The Princess of Wales was beaming as she appeared at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance for her first high-profile appearance in months after cancer treatment on Saturday
The Princess of Wales had undergone treatment for an undisclosed cancer over the past few months, taking a step back from her duties due to her health
A bearded Prince William enters the Royal Albert Hall upbeat in a blue suit alongside Princess Kate
A bearded Prince William and Princess Kate were all smiles this evening as they clap as the performers take to the stage
The royal who continued her favoured tradition of wearing a military style coat for the service also donned a significant piece of royal jewellery for the service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London.
The mother-of-three wore the Bahrain Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings, from the late Queen Elizabeth's private collection, which were also worn by the late Princess Diana in 1982.
Last week, Prince William described the year as the 'hardest' of his life, whilst remarking how proud he was of his father and wife for their bravery and dignity amid their health woes.
Kate, who is recovering from cancer and King Charles, who is still having ongoing treatment for cancer, both attended the weekend's Remembrance events.
In a video Kate released in September, she revealed she had finished her chemotherapy treatment, and spoke of how she was 'looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months'.
But she added her focus was 'doing what I can to stay cancer free'.
William said on Wednesday during his trip to Cape Town that his wife was 'doing really well' and has been 'amazing this whole year'.
The Princess has made just a handful of public appearances so far in 2024, after she underwent major abdominal surgery in January and then was diagnosed with cancer.
Her last engagement prior to the Remembrance events was a month ago, when she made a surprise trip to meet families whose children were killed in the Southport attack and speak to emergency workers who helped at the scene after the devastating knife attack.
In her heartfelt video in September, Kate opened up about her cancer journey, as the Wales family were shown enjoying time together outdoors.
The Princess said she was entering 'this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life'.
'The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,' she said.
She added: 'Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long.'
At the start of October, the Princess was pictured hugging an aspiring teenage photographer with a rare and aggressive form of cancer after inviting her to take pictures at investitures at Windsor Castle.
The Princess of Wales, 42, smiled as she joined the Duchess of Edinburgh on the balcony
Prince William, wearing a Hackett polo shirt, and the Princess of Wales, wearing a Roman blue dress, appeared together in a video released by Kensington Palace in September
Catherine, the Princess of Wales (pictured) revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer
Kate met Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate, and her family privately after the ceremony with William.
In June, Kate looked relaxed during her first day in the spotlight following her diagnosis when she appeared at the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony.
She took part in the carriage procession and joined William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and other royals on the Palace balcony.
It came the day after a health update from Kate, who was pictured in the grounds of the Windsor Castle estate, standing in a tranquil setting against a weeping willow tree near a lake.
She issued a written message saying she was 'making good progress' and had 'good days and bad days', but added: 'I am not out of the woods yet.'
A few weeks later she made another rare appearance when she presented the Wimbledon men's final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Princess, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, was accompanied by Charlotte and chatted to ball boys and girls, and entered Centre Court to loud applause.
She met aides to discuss staging her annual Christmas carol service in December, and held meetings on her early years work.
On Saturday, prior to entering the Royal Albert Hall, the Princess of Wales lovingly and gently rubbed William's lower back.
Several times throughout the ceremony, the Royal couple could be seen glancing and whispering in each others direction giving us a glimpse of the 'mutual affection' they share.
The Duchess of Edinburgh (right) laid a reassuring hand on the Princess of Wales' back, as Catherine makes a slow, determined, and graceful return back to public life, after it was announced she had completed a course of preventative chemotherapy
Following the emotional tributes to British personnel, Judi James revealed exactly what the Wales's body language says about their relationship, and how the Princess Royal showed 'maternal concern' for a 'frail' King Charles.
Body language expert Judi James told MailOnline that it indicated the Royal couple 'couldn't keep their hands off each other' and they will be 'far more open about showing the strength of their love' in the future.
'For a couple that usually limits their touch rituals or PDAs to one or two per appearance, this brief arrival walk to greet their hosts contained an ongoing volley of affectionate, loving and mutually protective touches, glances and truncated hugs,' she said.
'The cliche 'They couldn't keep their hands off each other' really does apply here and this behaviour between the couple answers a question that has been hanging since the very romantic, openly loving video they released to update on Kate's health.'
She added: 'This glimpse already suggests an upgrade in their PDAs, which in turn should suggest they will now be far more open about showing the strength of their love after keeping their emotions rather under wraps in a bid to avoid the kind of attention William's mother Princess Diana suffered from.'
Ms James also revealed that Prince William's rush to join the Princess's side as they mutually placed their hands on each others waists, stepping closer to one another showed 'mutual support, protection and affection'.
The body language expert continued: 'He seems to glance at her face lovingly and when her arm drops he places his own around her as they stand with their heads close.
'This is followed by two more hands placed on Kate's back, with an almost endless ritual of PDAs.'
