'Most difficult times': Telling detail in Kate's Christmas concert confirmation

Catherine, Princess of Wales is planning on ending this year on a high note with the announcement she will be hosting her annual Christmas concert for the fourth time in a row, not taking a break for her health as she has done for the better part of this year.

But she has not forgotten to honour her journey this past year, with a detail in the announcement from Kensington Palace for the Together at Christmas concert paying tribute to her tough year dealing with her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

In a statement, Kensington Palace said this year's concert would provide "a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives".

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This line seems to be a nod to her loved ones, including her husband Prince William who has recently described the past year as "brutal" – not only dealing with Catherine's health journey, but also his father King Charles III's concurrent cancer diagnosis and treatment.

In an interview during his recent green conservation Earthshot project, the royal was asked how the past year had been for him personally.

"Honestly? It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life," he said with remarkable candour.

"Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done."

The Wales children also seem to be a source of comfort for Catherine, appearing in the royal's recent video announcing the end of her chemotherapy and return to work.

The children were seen frolicking through nature with their parents and extended family, happy to have time with their mother, who has taken the last year off to heal amid her chemotherapy.

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She has made just a handful of public appearances in 2024: Trooping the Colour in June, Wimbledon in July, a visit to Southport in October, and last week joined the royal family for the Festival of Remembrance, followed by Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

The Together at Christmas concert will be a triumphant return for Kate, who has made the annual celebration one of the highlights of the year.

It will be held at Westminster Abbey and will air on ITV on Christmas Eve.

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