Breaking news:Kate Middleton Steps Out for Christmas Day Walk Alongside Family, Marking End of ‘Hardest’ Year

Kate Middleton is ending one of the most difficult years of her life by taking part in a cherished royal family tradition.

On Wednesday, Dec. 25, the Princess of Wales, 42, was joined by her husband Prince William and children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 — as well as other members of the royal family — for the traditional Christmas Day walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, where Kate and the royal family typically spend Christmas every year.

King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal family’s Christmas Day walk, as they greeted well-wishers lining the route to catch a glimpse of the royals on their way to church service.

Kate, holding hands with her youngest son, Louis, looked festive in a green Alexander McQueen coat, which she had previously worn during a visit to Leeds in January 2023. She paired the coat with a matching fascinator and scarf, along with black gloves and boots.

After the service, Kate warmly greeted members of the public who lined the route, eager to catch a glimpse of the royal family. With a bright smile, she shook hands, accepted armfuls of flowers, and knelt down to speak with young children.

Two well-wishers shared touching details of their conversations with Kate during the royal family’s Christmas outing.

John Loughrey, who had arrived in Sandringham the night before, wore a shirt featuring photos of Kate and badges of the princess. Speaking to Sky News, he said, “I’m on top of the world. “I told Catherine she was an inspiration. She said thank you, and said she liked my badges.”

Another well-wisher, 73-year-old Karen Maclean, who has endured cancer for over 20 years, spoke with both Kate and King Charles. “We just had a little talk about cancer,” she said, recalling a warm exchange with the princess. Kate hugged Ms. Maclean, who had traveled from North Lincolnshire for the occasion.

Reflecting on her encounter with the King, Maclean shared, “He said to me ‘I can remember you’, I’m thinking ‘what!’, like many years ago?

She noted that both Kate and Charles appeared “very well actually, considering what they’re going through.” After hugging Kate, she added, “What a privilege.”

This year’s holiday appearance is especially meaningful for Kate after what has been a tumultuous 2024 that began with a planned abdominal surgery in January. At the time, the surgery was thought to be for a non-cancerous condition. However, post-operative tests later revealed the presence of cancer. She announced the diagnosis to the public on March 22 and wasn’t seen in an official capacity until June’s Trooping the Colour, celebrating the official birthday of her father-in-law King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year. Both Kate and Charles’ respective types and stages of cancer remain unknown to the public.

In a year mostly spent dedicated to her health, Kate was rarely seen at official royal engagements, save for Trooping the Colour and a July appearance at Wimbledon alongside daughter Charlotte and sister Pippa Middleton. On Sept. 9, Kate released a second video message, this time announcing that she had completed chemotherapy treatment. Though her return to royal work remains gradual, in October she visited Southport, England with William and stepped out for Remembrance events in November; on Dec. 6, she hosted her annual Together at Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, and continued her return to public life with the Dec. 25 outing.