Kate Middleton's Carol Service Has Meaningful Theme After 'Tough' Year: Decoding What She Chose

Kate Middleton’s next major engagement is expected to be herTogether at Christmasconcert in December, which has a moving theme after what she previously described as a “tough” few months amid hercancer diagnosisand completion ofchemotherapy treatment. On Nov. 13, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales, 42, will host her fourth annual carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, Dec. 6. Princess Kate will continue a tradition she originated in December 2021 as a thank you to those who stepped up for their communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year’s theme is love and empathy.

Kate Middleton's Conversation with Liz Hatton, Teen with Cancer Who She Met at Windsor Castle, Is Revealed

Kate Middleton shares a hug with Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle.Photo:Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Liz Hatton, the 17-year-old photographer with cancer whomade headlinesthis week for her embrace withKate Middleton, is reflecting on her encounter with royalty, the “crazy” week since and what she and the Princess of Wales talked about. Hatton — who was diagnosed in January with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, and was given between six months and three years to live, per theBBC— had traveled to Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Oct.

Kate Middleton's Coronation Tiara Designer Says Making Piece for Her Was 'Everything I Have Ever Dreamed Of' (Exclusive)

Kate Middleton wearing a Jess Collett/Alexander McQueen tiara on the day of King Charles' coronation on May 6, 2023.Photo: Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty In the world of millinery, designing a tiara for a future Queen is a life-defining moment. That was the task at hand forJess Collett, the British hatmaker who was chosen to create one-of-a-kind headpieces for bothKate MiddletonandPrincess CharlotteforKing Charles’coronationon May 6, 2023. While there was much speculation in the weeks leading up to the big day as to whether Kate would wear something befitting her status as future Queen — guests were asked to wear hats or fascinators to the event, and PEOPLE learned several weeks before the event that Kate was unlikely to wear a traditional tiara — Collett says there was never any doubt in her head what she was creating.

Kate Middleton's Remembrance Service Style: See All Her Hairstyles and Looks from Over the Years

01of 142011Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesMaking her Remembrance Day debut, Kate opted for a black hat with a bow to one side for thesolemn ceremony, during which the royal family honors those who lost their lives in war.She would go on to recycle the fashionable headpiece in 2014. She also had on the same jacket she wore in 2012 and 2016. 01of 14 2011 Chris Jackson/Getty Images Making her Remembrance Day debut, Kate opted for a black hat with a bow to one side for thesolemn ceremony, during which the royal family honors those who lost their lives in war.

Kate Middleton's Royal Return Is Happening 'In Her Own Way and at Her Own Pace,' Royal Biographer Says (Exclusive)

Catherine, Princess of Wales (R) arrives to attend “The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance” ceremony at Royal Albert Hall, in London, on Nov. 9, 2024 as part of the Remembrance Day commemorating the end of World War I.Photo:CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via Getty CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via Getty Kate Middletonlooked “pretty healthy” and “seemed happy” to return to public life for two back-to-back appearances over the weekend, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells PEOPLE.