CARING KATE'S MESSAGE OF XMAS HOPE

THE Princess of Wales gave a heartwarming message of hope at her annual carol service.

- Emily Ferguson

Kate told the 1,600 guests yesterday: "Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times." It was the future queen's first leading role since her cancer treatment this year, and her husband and children were by her side.

The Westminster Abbey concert marked the biggest return to royal duties so far for Kate, 42.

Her Together at Christmas Carol Service had themes of kindness, love, empathy and being there for each other through tough times.

Kate's message calling for "love, not fear" comes after the Prince of Wales called 2024 "brutal" following her shock diagnosis. His father the King was treated for cancer too.

After months of chemotherapy Kate revealed in September her treatment was over and she would start to ease herself back into work.

She has attended a handful of events since, including two on Remembrance weekend and the Qatari state visit this week, but the carol service is her most significant function to date, and she had been planning it over several months.