The Princess of Wales has arrived at Westminster Abbey ahead of the start of her annual Christmas carol service.
Kate, 42, was not joined by her family, who are expected to arrive later.
In a message sent ahead of the service, Kate said Christmas is a moment of “celebration and joy” as well as an “opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all”.
She said: “Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year.”
The princess, who has been hosting the Together at Christmas Carol service for the past four years, announced last month she had completed chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
She has been gradually returning to public duties after revealing in March that she had been found with pre-cancerous cells following an abdominal surgery and was undergoing preventative treatment.
In a health update in September, Kate said she had finished the treatment and her focus was to “stay cancer free”.
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In November, she joined other senior royals for Remembrance Day services, while in October she made a surprise visit to the families of the victims of the Southport attack.
Tonight’s carol will see 1,600 guests – all people who have supported others, whether friends or family, helped individuals through their work or volunteered.
In her letter to the carol-goers, Kate seemed to hint to the struggles the royal family has faced over the past year, with the King also being diagnosed with cancer.
“Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times,” she wrote. Prince William recently described the past year as “brutal” and probably “the hardest year in my life”.
Singers Gregory Porter and Paloma Faith are expected to perform.
Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, will light a candle as will Lindsey Burrow, the wife of former Rugby League star Rob Burrow who died in June following a much-publicised battle with motor neurone disease.
The event will be broadcast as part of the programme Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, screened on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve, and it will feature three films about the stories of people and organisations who have inspired, counselled and comforted others in their times of need.
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