LONDON, Dec 2: Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has released a heartfelt Christmas letter, offering a meaningful message centered on the themes of “love, kindness, and forgiveness.” In her letter, she calls for “love, not fear,” emphasizing that the Christmas story teaches “the importance of giving and receiving empathy” and shows “how much we need each other despite our differences.”

“Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a time for celebration and joy, but also an opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper connections that unite us all,” she wrote. The letter will be sent to those attending her annual Christmas carol service at London’s Westminster Abbey.

She continued, “It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life that we find the space to live with an open heart, filled with love, kindness, and forgiveness — so much of what the Christmas spirit embodies.”

At 42, the wife of Prince William, Britain’s future king, subtly acknowledged the challenges she and her family have faced throughout the year. “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times,” she wrote.

In a video address released in March, Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing “a course of preventative chemotherapy” after much speculation about her health and whereabouts. She disclosed that the cancer had been discovered during major abdominal surgery in January.

This news came shortly after her father-in-law, King Charles III, announced his own cancer diagnosis in February, following a procedure for benign prostate enlargement. He resumed public duties in April after showing progress in his treatment.

In September, Kate shared that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and would return to a light schedule of public engagements for the remainder of the year. Neither Kate nor Charles has revealed the specific type of cancer they were diagnosed with, although Buckingham Palace confirmed the king did not have prostate cancer.

In a candid moment last month, Prince William described the year as “brutal,” reflecting on how the health struggles of both his father and wife had deeply impacted the family.

This year marks the fourth time the princess will host her “Together at Christmas” carol service. Westminster Abbey will be decorated with sustainable ornaments, aligning with Kate’s belief in the healing power of nature, a cause she has passionately advocated for throughout 2024.

The service will be recorded on Friday and broadcast in the U.K. on Christmas Eve.