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Kate's carol service message: You were by my side Kate's carol service message of kindness in her biggest return
(about 3 hours later)
The carol service will be the biggest event so far in Catherine's return Catherine, Princess of Wales, is hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday - the 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. It is a candle-lit, festive occasion, but also with some poignancy – as it comes at the end of a year of health problems for the princess and for some of the guests who have faced very difficult times.
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. Among the 1,600 guests will be families affected by the Southport knife attack, and a candle will be lit by Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who had a cancer diagnosis.
Families affected by the Southport knife attack will be among the 1,600 guests at the event. The Prince of Wales will deliver a Bible reading, and actor Richard E Grant will read a passage from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
It comes at the end of a difficult year for Catherine, after revealing her cancer diagnosis in March, followed by months of treatment. Performers at the Together at Christmas service will include Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter, along with guests who have worked hard to help others in their communities.
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. They include 18-year-old Olivia Bowditch from Dorset, who volunteers for a charity that sends letters to cancer patients at risk of being lonely and isolated.
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." Also at the carol service will be Diven Halai from London, who has a serious lung condition but ran the London Marathon with an oxygen machine, in a charity fundraiser.
Ahead of the carol concert, Catherine sent a letter to guests calling for "love, not fear". There will be five World War Two veterans attending, including Bernard Morgan from Crewe, aged 100, who landed in Normandy on D-Day.
An illustration by Charlie Mackesy for the carol concert's order of serviceAn 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. The Abbey, decorated with Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park, will host a service with traditional carols, music, readings and prayers, emphasising the importance of compassion and kindness.
More than any of the events so far this year, this concert will place the princess centre stage rather than in a supporting role. Catherine has written a letter to guests saying the Christmas message is about promoting "love, not fear".
This will be her big personal moment - after a year of health worries described by the Prince of Wales as "brutal" for their family. "Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times," writes the princess.
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. The Order of Service sends the same message of empathy, with a specially commissioned illustration by Charlie Mackesy.
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. The illustration says: "How did I help?" with the answer: "You were by my side, which was everything". This sentiment expresses the carol concert's message of showing solidarity for those in need.
Olympic and world-champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who received a cancer diagnosis this year, will be among those lighting candles. Leo Scanlon (right) praised Prince William's efforts at the Passage Christmas dinner
But much of the focus will be on Catherine, Prince William and other Royal Family members at the service. Prince William has also been helping others this week, with a visit to the Passage homelessness charity in Westminster.
The language in the run-up to the carol concert has been strikingly emotional, calling for greater empathy for those facing difficulties. The prince, who has been associated with the charity since going there first with his mother Diana, helped prepare the Christmas dinner for the charity's clients.
"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. Leo Scanlon, who was at the dinner, praised the prince for how he talked to people and for the questions he asked: "He clearly has a great understanding of homelessness and the issues around it."
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." The prince has described this year as having been "brutal" for his family, and the focus of attention at the carol service will be on his wife Catherine, as she continues her recovery after ending chemotherapy.
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." Each stage of her return to public life has made headlines, but this week will have seen her at two major events - the Emir of Qatar's state visit and this carol service.
Guests will be able to leave a message on a "kindness tree" outside the abbey. More than any of the events so far this year, this concert will place the princess centre-stage rather than in a supporting role. It will be her big personal moment.
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."