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| Kate's carol service message: You were by my side | Kate's carol service message: You were by my side |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| The carol service will be the biggest event so far in Catherine's return | The carol service will be the biggest event so far in Catherine's return |
| Catherine, Princess of Wales is to host her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, her biggest event in her return to royal duties after ending her chemotherapy. | Catherine, Princess of Wales is to host her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, her biggest event in her return to royal duties after ending her chemotherapy. |
| A specially-designed illustration by British artist Charlie Mackesy - which embodies the service's themes of kindness, love and empathy - will feature on the Order of Service. | A specially-designed illustration by British artist Charlie Mackesy - which embodies the service's themes of kindness, love and empathy - will feature on the Order of Service. |
| Families affected by the Southport knife attack will be among the 1,600 guests at the event. | Families affected by the Southport knife attack will be among the 1,600 guests at the event. |
| It comes at the end of a difficult year for Catherine, after revealing her cancer diagnosis in March, followed by months of treatment. | |
| The illustration says: "How did I help?" with the answer "You were by my side, which was everything" - expressing the carol concert's message of showing solidarity for those in need. | |
| The children's illustrator, who is is known for his bestselling book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse, said: "I hope it reminds us of the beauty of being there for each other at Christmas." | The children's illustrator, who is is known for his bestselling book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse, said: "I hope it reminds us of the beauty of being there for each other at Christmas." |
| Ahead of the carol concert, Catherine sent a letter to guests calling for "love, not fear". | |
| An illustration by Charlie Mackesy for the carol concert's order of service | An illustration by Charlie Mackesy for the carol concert's order of service |
| Each stage of Catherine's return to the public eye has made headlines, but this week will have seen her at two major events - the emir of Qatar's state visit and this Together at Christmas carol service. | |
| More than any of the events so far this year, this concert will place the princess centre stage rather than in a supporting role. | |
| This will be her big personal moment - after a year of health worries described by the Prince of Wales as "brutal" for their family. | This will be her big personal moment - after a year of health worries described by the Prince of Wales as "brutal" for their family. |
| There will be famous performers at the concert, including Richard E Grant, Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, along with guests who have worked hard to help others in their communities. | There will be famous performers at the concert, including Richard E Grant, Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, along with guests who have worked hard to help others in their communities. |
| It is intended to show support for those who have had a tough year, including families of those caught up in the Southport knife attacks, whom the princess visited in October. | |
| Olympic and world-champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who received a cancer diagnosis this year, will be among those lighting candles. | |
| But much of the focus will be on Catherine, Prince William and other Royal Family members at the service. | But much of the focus will be on Catherine, Prince William and other Royal Family members at the service. |
| The language in the run-up to the carol concert has been strikingly emotional, calling for greater empathy for those facing difficulties. | The language in the run-up to the carol concert has been strikingly emotional, calling for greater empathy for those facing difficulties. |
| "Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times," Catherine wrote in a letter to guests invited to the concert, which is being recorded for an ITV programme on 24 December. | "Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times," Catherine wrote in a letter to guests invited to the concert, which is being recorded for an ITV programme on 24 December. |
| In her letter to guests at the carol service, Catherine writes about the importance of compassion: "Gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around an exhausted shoulder, or silently being by someone's side." | |
| And she extols the virtues of love: "The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others - love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope." | |
| Guests will be able to leave a message on a "kindness tree" outside the abbey. | |
| Whether a reflection of her own experiences of ill health in such a high-profile role, or addressing a social-media generation that expects more emotional openness, it is a very different tone from traditionally understated royal messages. | Whether a reflection of her own experiences of ill health in such a high-profile role, or addressing a social-media generation that expects more emotional openness, it is a very different tone from traditionally understated royal messages. |
| It has a similarly personal approach to Catherine's video on social media in September, when she announced she had finished her chemotherapy treatment, with its message of hopeful endurance: "Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright." | It has a similarly personal approach to Catherine's video on social media in September, when she announced she had finished her chemotherapy treatment, with its message of hopeful endurance: "Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright." |