Princess Kate Middleton is getting into the holiday spirit!
The mom of three, 42, was all smiles and rosy cheeks as she attended the “Together at Christmas” Carol Service on Friday, December 5. Kate was joined by Prince William, along with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for the event. This made the first time George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, appeared in public since Kate completed her chemotherapy treatment in September.
The princess looked stunning in a festive red coat fastened at the neck with a black bow. She paired the look with a red tartan dress underneath and black high-heeled boots.
“An evening to come together and celebrate this festive season as the ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service returns to Westminster Abbey,” the official Instagram account of William, 43, and Kate wrote alongside a carousel of pictures from the event. “Shining a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.”
While there, Kate made a rare comment about her recovery journey when singer Paloma Faith asked how she was feeling.
“I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had,” Kate said in a video shared via X.
Paloma, 43, remarked that Kate’s battle with cancer was “unplanned,” and Kate continued.
“The unplanned, exactly,” she said. “But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.”
Kate spearheads the annual event held at Westminster Abbey and it’s supported by The Royal Foundation.
“The service was a joyful celebration of Christmas which shone a light on the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times in our lives,” read the Westminster Abbey website. “Among the 1,600-strong congregation were people from across the UK who have shown kindness towards others in their communities – whether in their own families, through their work, or as they give up their time through volunteering.”
The Very Reverend Dr. David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster, led this year’s event. Gregory Porter, JP Cooper, and Olivia Dean performed a variety of different Christmas carols, including “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “Oh Holy Night” and “This Christmas.” Members of the Royal Ballet performed a routine to John Rutter’s “Colours of Christmas,” which was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey. William also participated in the service as he read from Isaiah 9 as part of the telling of the Christmas Story.
There was also a Kindness Tree stationed at the entrance of Westminster Abbey. Guests were encouraged to write down names of those who had shown them kindness over the last year.
Last month, Kensington Palace announced that the service would take place as planned this year, despite Kate’s health issues.
“The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the U.K. who have shown love, kindness, and empathy towards others in their communities,” Kensington Palace said in a statement, per The Independent. “This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need — individuals who have inspired, counseled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.”
