EntertainmentKate's brave return: Duchess shines at Christmas concert

Kate's brave return: Duchess shines at Christmas concert

Kate Middleton appeared on Friday with her family at the ceremonial Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, where she engaged in a conversation with singer Paloma Faith. The Duchess admitted to her acquaintance that she wasn't prepared for the challenges she faced this year.

A conversation of Duchess Kate was recorded during the concert.
A conversation of Duchess Kate was recorded during the concert.
Images source: © Getty Images

It's been a few months since Duchess Kate announced she has cancer and began oncology treatment. Despite the passage of time, emotions surrounding the health of King Charles III's daughter-in-law remain high. Beloved by the British public, she is gradually returning to her royal duties and appears in public more often, though not as frequently as before.

On Tuesday, Kate and William, on behalf of King Charles III, welcomed the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, in London. On Friday, the couple attended Westminster Abbey in London, where, for the fourth time, they greeted everyone gathered during the ceremonial "Together at Christmas" concert. They were accompanied by their children.

Besides the royal family, among the carolers was the well-known British singer Paloma Faith, with whom the Duchess has been acquainted for years. After the concert, the ladies had a polite chat, during which Middleton opened up about her feelings.

The 42-year-old Duchess of Wales talked to her friend about the challenges related to the illness and treatment she had to undergo. Their interaction was recorded and shared on the X platform by the British Channel 5 News station. In the footage, you can clearly see Middleton saying to Faith:

I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had.

The unplanned – Paloma interjected.

The unplanned, exactly – Middleton agreed. But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.

In September, the Duchess revealed in an extensive post published on Instagram that after nine months of chemotherapy, she had completed the treatment. In the published material, Duchess Kate did not hide that the illness had re-evaluated many things in her family's life. Together with her husband, they now appreciate "the simple yet important things in life." However, she emphasized that the most important thing for her now is recovery.

Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton© Getty Images
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton© Getty Images
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton© Getty Images
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge leave the Women's Hockey Group Stage games on day five of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at University of Birmingham Hockey & Squash Centre on August 02, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge leave the Women's Hockey Group Stage games on day five of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at University of Birmingham Hockey & Squash Centre on August 02, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)© GETTY | Stephen Pond
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a visit to Little Village's hub in Brent to hear how the baby bank is supporting local families. Picture date: Wednesday June 8, 2022. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a visit to Little Village's hub in Brent to hear how the baby bank is supporting local families. Picture date: Wednesday June 8, 2022. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)© GETTY | Victoria Jones - PA Images

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