Princess Kate Middleton of Wales has hugged a woman with cancer after attending a traditional Christmas Day church service in Norfolk, marking a significant moment after a “brutal” year which she described as a year of battling the disease.
Kate, accompanied by her husband, the Prince of Wales, and their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – joined the king and queen for the short walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church, where they were met by a crowd of well-wishers, some of whom camped out for the night to catch a glimpse of the royal family.
After the service, which lasted about 45 minutes, Kate chatted to cancer survivor Karen McLean, 73, from North Lincolnshire. McLean, who has been battling cancer for 20 years, spoke to Kate and Prince Charles about her personal experience of battling the disease.
She recounted: “We just talked a bit about cancer,” she said. “I’d met the king before. He said to me, “I remember you,” and I thought, “What! – like years ago?” McLean added that both the king and the princess look “very well, considering what they’re going through.” Hugging Kate, she expressed her gratitude, saying: “What a privilege.”
Kate, wearing a green coat and hat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, smiled warmly at those gathered as she walked arm in arm with Charlotte, while Prince William was spotted with their son Louis. Other royals in attendance included the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Princess Beatrice, who is expecting a baby, also attended the service, having changed her plans to travel on the advice of her doctor.
The royal family were welcomed into the church by the Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Rhys Williams. After entering the church, the national anthem was played, followed by the first hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
Prince William, who described 2023 as “brutal” due to his wife and father’s cancer treatment, recalled the past year as “probably the hardest year of his life,” describing it as a “horrible” experience. The royals’ presence at the church service on Christmas Day appeared to be a moment of calm after a tumultuous year.
On September 9, the Princess of Wales published a lengthy post on social media in which she spoke about her battle with cancer and her immediate plans. She explained that the past nine months have been incredibly difficult for both her and her immediate family.
At the end of the post, she said that her chemotherapy treatment was over and that she was healthy enough to make more public appearances.
