Kate Middleton is sharing a heartfelt letter reflecting on her year ahead of the Christmas season.
Kate’s announcement about her letter was made on Instagram on Saturday, November 30th. The post included black and white photos showing the Princess of Wales’ signature at the end of the letter.
The caption on the post described the letter as special, touching on the themes of love, empathy, and the importance of supporting each other during challenging times. The letter will be given to all guests attending her “Together at Christmas” carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, December 6th, as well as to attendees of 15 other “Community Carol Services” throughout the country. It expresses gratitude to the attendees for their contributions to helping others.
In the letter, Kate, who is 42 years old, expressed her sincere appreciation to those involved in the Carol Service. She mentioned that Christmas is a particularly cherished time for her. The Princess of Wales has been hosting the “Together at Christmas” carol service for four consecutive years.
“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 wrote. “It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness — so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.”
Kate added that Christmas “encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others” just as it “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.”
Her letter continued, “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times. We all have something we can offer one another. Gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around an exhausted shoulder, or silently being by someone’s side.”
Earlier this year, Kate took a step back from her official royal duties after she was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer. In September, she completed her chemotherapy treatment and has begun steadily returning to work.
Her husband, Prince William, confirmed earlier this month that his wife will “be doing a bit more” in 2025. He also referred to 2024 as the most “dreadful” year of his life due specifically to his wife’s illness, as well as his father King Charles III’s own cancer diagnosis.
“It’s probably been the hardest year in my life,” he told U.K.’s The Times in an interview published November 10. “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
