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The Princess of Wales has opened up about her experiences with cancer months after completion chemotherapy treatment.
Kate Middleton was recently seen in Westminster Abbey for her annual Together for Christmas carol service. While at the event, the singer Paloma Faith she asked Kate how she felt about her health.
“I didn’t know this year was going to be the year I just had,” Kate reportedly told the singer video posted on X/Twitter by Channel 5 News in the UK “Unplanned,” Faith replied, and Kate agreed.
“Exactly unplanned,” she said. “But I think a lot of people have had such a challenging time this year.”
Throughout the year, Kate was mostly absent from various public events as she was she recovered from her health changes. In March, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer. For the next nine months she underwent “preventive chemotherapy” and was announced as cancer free in September.
This was announced by Kensington Palace in November Kate’s annual Christmas service will still take place this year. The aim of this year’s service was to reflect on “how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult moments of our lives”. As stated in the announcement, Kate wanted this year’s service to focus specifically on the importance of love and empathy and how much people need support from others.
“The service will shine a light on individuals from across the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities,” Kensington Palace said. “This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people who support those in need – individuals who have inspired, advised, comforted and above all shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.
“This theme is inspired by a Christmas story that encourages us to consider the experiences of others and the important human need to give and receive empathy.”
This year’s service included a commissioned illustration by artist Charlie Mackesy and highlighted themes of love, kindness and empathy. The illustration shows a group of people walking towards Westminster Abbey, their hands linked with a written message.
“How did I help?” the words read, with the reply: “You were beside me. Which was all.”
“Love, empathy and kindness are important messages for all of us,” Mackesy said of his artwork.
“As the theme of this year’s Princess of Wales Carol Service, it was very special to be asked to create an illustration for the Order of Service. I hope it reminds us of the beauty of being there for each other at Christmas.”
Ahead of the service, Kate spoke briefly about the Christmas holidays as she called them “an opportunity to slow down and think about the deeper things that connect us all”.
Her husband, the Prince of Wales, also gave a reading during the service, as one of the lines read: “Men who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – upon them the light shone.”
This event was Kate’s fourth time holding her Together at Christmas carol service.