Inside Prince William and Princess Catherine’s touching Christmas plans

Following a challenging year marked by Princess Catherine’s health battle, she and Prince William plan to take it easy this Christmas with a low key family celebration at Sandringham Estate.

The royal couple are reportedly tailoring the festivities around their three young children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – as Catherine prepares for her first Christmas since her battle with cancer began.

King Charles’ former butler, Grant Harrold, offered insight into William and Catherine’s festive plans, noting that the family aim to create a more positive atmosphere after a tough year.

“Last Christmas she was probably aware that something wasn’t quite right, so I imagine it was quite a tough Christmas,” he told the New York Post.

“(This year is going to be) more positive, based on what we’ve been told.

“It will be like any other Christmas, focused on the young family. They’re very family-orientated, like the late Queen, so that will be their focus.”

Harrold also revealed the royal couple and their children will likely arrive at Sandringham the day before Christmas Eve to begin the festive celebrations.

In addition to putting Christmas plans together for the family, Catherine is also hard at work putting the finishing touches on her highly anticipated Christmas Carol Service.

This December, Catherine will host her fourth “Together at Christmas” Carol Service. She recently took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at the preparations leading up to the big day.

Her video showcased large white invitation cards stamped with the official gold royal seal, featuring the cypher “C” for Catherine.

“Something exciting is coming,” she wrote alongside the video.

“The invitations are fresh off the press for this year’s Together At Christmas Carol Service, which will be returning to Westminster Abbey on Friday 6 December.

“We can’t wait for you to join us too! Tune in on @itv and @itvxofficial on Christmas Eve.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)

Catherine’s Christmas Carols Service has always been a highly anticipated event on the royal calendar.

This year’s service will offer “a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult time of our lives.”

“The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy in others in their communities, whether on a personal level with friends and family, through their work or as they selflessly give up their time through volunteering,” the Royal Foundation said.

“Westminster Abbey will be filled with 1,600 people, alongside Members of The Royal Family and recognisable faces, who in their own ways have shown how love can help others thrive.”

In years past, Princess Catherine has transformed the Christmas carol concert into a poignant tribute, honouring the memory of the late Queen Elizabeth and shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes who tirelessly navigated the challenges of the global pandemic.

-with BANG.