Princess Kate Middleton is a festive vision in red as she kicks off the holiday season at her “Together at Christmas” carol service.
Kate, 42, arrived at London’s Westminster Abbey on Friday, December 6, solo, dressed in a chic red peacoat that had been adorned with a black velvet bow. Kate completed her look with pearl drop earrings and wore her brown hair down in loose waves.
The look immediately reminded Us of Kate’s late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who wore a similar red Catherine Walker coat dress in 1984 while at the Birmingham Airport with then-husband King Charles III.
The Princess of Wales has organized a “Together at Christmas” church service for several years for individuals to take a chance to reflect on love, compassion and vital connections during the most challenging life moments. The occasion also shines a spotlight on those across the U.K. who have demonstrated extraordinary kindness, empathy and support in their communities.
Ahead of the service, Kate greeted several attendees including Olivia Dean, Paloma Faith and Richard E. Grant. She also wrote letters for those who stepped out, which was revealed earlier this month.
“Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year,” Kate wrote. “It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness — so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.”
She continued, “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times. We all have something we can offer one another. Gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around an exhausted shoulder, or silently being by someone’s side.”
The Friday appearance closes out a challenging 2024 for Kate. She was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year and completed a round of chemotherapy in September.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,” Kate said in a statement earlier this fall. “With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
She added, “This time has above all reminded [Prince] William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
Kate and husband William, 42, share three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
