Princess of Wales to Host Annual Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey Post-Cancer Treatment

The Princess of Wales is set to host her annual Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey, marking her gradual return to royal duties following cancer treatment. Kensington Palace announced today that Kate has been actively planning the festive event with royal aides and representatives from the Royal Foundation.

This year’s concert will be the fourth installment of the Together At Christmas event, which celebrates local charities and features a lineup of celebrity guests. The princess recently revealed she has completed her course of preventative chemotherapy after her cancer diagnosis in February, and royal sources indicated she is feeling well enough to engage in light work as she continues her recovery.

Aides emphasized that any upcoming engagements will align with Kate’s health and recovery, making this concert her first confirmed public appearance since last December’s event.

During her recovery, Kate attended the Wimbledon Men’s Final in July with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and sister, Pippa. A source shared, “The princess continues to be making a good recovery and is looking forward to getting back to public life.”

The concert will be filmed in December and aired on ITV on Christmas Eve at 7:30 PM. Last year, Kate was joined by pop stars such as Beverley Knight, Freya Ridings, and James Bay, and the service was dedicated to those supporting children in their early years. Previous concerts have included films highlighting the significance of early childhood and contributions from various celebrities.

An entry in the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements, will note: “The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron of the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, held a meeting at Windsor Castle this morning.”

In June, as she continued her treatment, Kensington Palace said the princess has been working from home and taking meetings with her team. Last week, the Princess undertook another meeting in Windsor with her team at the Centre for Early childhood. It was the first official meeting the princess had undertaken since she was first hospitalised in January for abdominal surgery. She spent two weeks at The London Clinic before she was discharged and dealt with a secondary diagnosis of cancer some weeks later.

Kate was applauded earlier this month for her heartfelt statement where she spoke of her cancer journey being “complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you”. The princess added: “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”

Kate also spoke of how her husband Prince William, 42, had been by her side and together they had come to “reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.” She added: “Doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”