The annual Christmas concert will take place on Friday, December 6 at Westminster Abbey, with 1,600 guests expected to attend. Kate and other members of the Royal Family are also expected to attend. This is the first time the Princess has written to her concert guests, who will each receive a special letter along with the programme for the ceremony.
Prince Harry has been estranged from the royal family since leaving Britain and moving to the United States nearly five years ago. However, his family’s health woes this year, including King Charles and Princess Kate’s cancer diagnoses, have led many royal watchers to speculate about a possible reconciliation in the future. Amid the turmoil, Princess Kate’s Christmas message has been seen as a glimmer of hope.
In her message, Kate said Christmas was one of her favourite times of the year. She described it as a “time of celebration and joy” and “a chance to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.” Kate wrote: “It is when we pause and step back from the pressures of everyday life that we find the space to live with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness – so much of what the spirit of Christmas is all about.”
Kate’s words also seemed to be directed at her sister-in-law, as she encouraged people to “think about the experiences and feelings of others .” At the same time, she reminded people of “the importance of giving and receiving empathy, and how much we need each other despite our differences .” She added: “Most of all, it encourages us to move toward love, not fear. The love we have for ourselves and the love we have for others. The love that listens with empathy, the love that is kind and understanding, the love that is forgiving, and the love that brings joy and hope.”
Prince Harry has only returned to the UK a handful of times this year, one of which was in February after it was announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. After that trip, the Duke of Sussex declared that he “loved” his family, which many hoped could signal a different approach to the ongoing feud.