Catherine, Princess of Wales, reflected on her cancer journey this year at a royal event just months after she finished chemotherapy treatment.
Kate hosted the fourth annual carol service, « Together at Christmas, » at Westminster Abbey on Friday. She was joined by her husband, William, Prince of Wales, and her three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The U.K.’s Channel 5 News shared a clip on X from the event of Kate speaking with singer Paloma Faith about her challenging year.
« I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I just had, » Kate said after Faith asked how she was doing.
« The unplanned, » Faith offered.
Kate agreed, nodding her head and replying, « The unplanned. Exactly. »
« But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times, » Kate added.
It’s a rare glimpse into Kate’s life and her journey with cancer.
Kate shared the diagnosis in a video message in March and said she would be undergoing « a course of preventative chemotherapy. » She also said the cancer was found during major abdominal surgery she had in January.
What kind of cancer Kate had or what abdominal surgery she underwent months earlier has not been revealed.
In September, Kate said she had completed chemotherapy treatment and would return to a light schedule of public engagements through the end of the year.
Kate had mostly stayed out of the public eye while she was receiving treatment, but state events and other ceremonies that members of the royal family usually attend have not stopped in that time.
Last month, Prince William said the last year has been « brutal » and added that « it’s probably been the hardest year in my life, » referring to both Kate’s cancer diagnosis, as well as his father’s, King Charles III.
