Kate Middleton Makes Rare Comment About Her Cancer Journey: 'I Didn't Know' What This Year 'Was Going to Be'

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate Middleton arrives for the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6, 2024.Photo:James Manning/PA Images via Getty

James Manning/PA Images via Getty

Kate Middletonmade a candid revelation about the year she has faced after undergoingtreatment for cancerin a rare comment about at her carol service.

The Princess of Wales, 42, stepped out at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6 for the fourth edition of her carol service on Dec. 6, her most major event since she shared on Sept. 9 that shecompleted chemotherapy.

“The unplanned,” Faith said.

“The unplanned, exactly,” the Princess of Wales repeated, nodding her head, adding, “But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times, and many who are here today.”

Kate Middleton speaks to Paloma Faith and Olivia Dean at the Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6, 2024.Isabel Infantes-WPA Pool/Getty

Isabel Infantes-WPA Pool/Getty

The Princess of Wales chose the meaningful themes of love and empathy for her carol service, held towards the end of the year she previously described as an “incredibly tough” time after sharing in March that she was receiving treatment for cancer Her husband, Prince William, also previously described it as a “brutal” year, which he said in November has “probably been the hardest year in my life” as both his wife and father,King Charles, navigated cancer diagnoses.

Leaning in to love despite tough times, Kensington Palace previously said that the 1,600 guests at Princess Kate’sTogether at Christmasconcert would include those who went the extra mile for their communities, and people who have experienced difficult times this year.

It was previously announced that Princess Kate invited families and survivors from the town of Southport to her carol service, underscoring support for the community grieving in the wake of massstabbingat aTaylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in which three children were killed and 10 others, including eight children, were injured.

Kate Middleton at the Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6, 2024.Isabel Infantes-WPA Pool/Getty

Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton at the Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6, 2024.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

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Continuing tradition, Prince William also delivered a poignant reading which included the powerful line: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.”

Prince Louis and Kate Middleton at the Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6, 2024.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Princess Kate’s appearance there didn’t signal a full return to royal duties, but fulfilled her hope expressed on Sept. 9 that she hoped to undertake “a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.” PEOPLE learned then that Kate was planning for her holiday concert.

Step inside the royals' holiday traditions with PEOPLE’s Special Edition:Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album.

source: people.com