Kate Middleton Updated Her Classic McQueen Coat With a Festive Accessory

Indeed, this week The Princess of Wales penned a reflective letter, which will be given to the 1,600 guests attending Westminster Abbey for her Together At Christmas carol service. In the address, Catherine implored the public to “turn to love, not fear,” even in what she described as “the darkest of times.”

It is no wonder that empathy and the importance of human connection have been on the Princess’ mind as she looks back on 2024. It has been, as Prince William declared, a “brutal” year for the Wales family. Catherine announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer in March, following major abdominal surgery, then stepped back from the public eye to undergo chemotherapy treatment.

“Christmas is my favorite time of the year,” wrote the Princess of Wales in the letter, which concertgoers will receive alongside the order of service on Friday. “It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.”

She continued, focusing on how stepping back from daily life might encourage us to look inwards to the more vulnerable sides of ourselves and re-focus on what we can offer to others. “The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others,” Catherine wrote. “It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences.”