Kate’s channelling late Queen by always putting duty first…Christmas concert news proves how stoic she is, expert says

PRINCESS Kate is channelling the late Queen by always putting duty first, an expert has said.

The Princess of Wales's annual carol service at Westminster Abbey will go ahead this year, Kensington Palace confirmed this morning.

Brave Kate will host 1,600 guests including other royals and community leaders from around the UK.

It comes after Kate took part in Remembrance commemorations this weekend in her first major appearances since finishing chemotherapy.

Royal expert Hugo Vickers said Kate is sending a message with the Christmas concert.

He told The Sun: "I thought, if there's anything that she's going to do between now and the end of the year, it would be the carol service.

"It would be that carol service, because it's enormously popular. It's become one of the nicest features of the Christmas season."

Hugo added: "They've been hugely successful, the last ones that she did.

"It's her way of saying thank you and highlighting the needs of people in communities who've helped each other.

"I'm sure of all the things that she could have done that was going to be a high priority.

"The fact we've been told now she is going to appear on December 6 also indicates that she is able to make that sort of decision.

"Beforehand it was always very much 'Let's see how it is on the day' -so that's good news, too."

Hugo said Kate is channelling the late Queen's example as she gets back to work.

The royal expert said: "The words that spring to mind are stoicism and dignity.

"I don't think you could have a better example of that than Queen Elizabeth II.

"And so there is a wonderful example which certainly the Queen had, Prince Philip had, Princess Anne has.

"You know, just get on with the job. Don't don't care a jot what people say about you or think about you.

"Leave that up to them. You just know what you're going to do, and you do it.

"Kate certainly has all those qualities. And yes, I bet you she learned them from the Queen."

'WE REMEMBER THEM'

On Sunday the Royal Family gathered at the Cenotaph for a sombre service to remember fearless British soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our country.

Princess Kate and the Duchess of Edinburgh watched the ceremony from the Foreign Office balcony.

The pair were seen deep in conversation ahead of the two-minute silence led by King Charles.

It was the first time the Princess of Wales, 42, has carried out official Royal engagements on consecutive days since last December.

Veterans lined up in the middle of Whitehall as they prepared to take part in the Royal British Legion's march past the 'empty tomb'.

In a statement, the Royal Family said: "We remember them. On behalf of the nation, The King lays a wreath at the Cenotaph during the annual Service of Remembrance.

"Wreaths were also laid by The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal and The Duke of Edinburgh, and on behalf of The Queen and The Duke of Kent."

Kate, who continues to recover following her treatment for cancer, made a radiant return to duties at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on Saturday evening.

William revealed Kate aims to step up her royal engagements in 2025.

He said: "I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so, we'll have some more trips maybe lined up."

William affectionately put his arm around his wife as they emerged from their car outside the Royal Albert Hall.

The couple smiled and chatted warmly while taking their seats for the concert.

Kate, in a black dress and coat, wore Princess Diana's pearl drop earrings with diamond carrier, plus a matching necklace.

She was seen in the earrings at the Cenotaph ceremony in 2022.

Diana had been gifted them by jewellers Collingwood for her 1981 wedding to Charles.

'BRUTAL' YEAR

In January Kate spent 13 nights at The London Clinic for abdominal surgery.

Subsequent tests found cancer and she began preventative chemotherapy treatment in late February.

In September she told the world in a family video that she had finished chemo.

Last week William visited South Africa — his first foreign trip since Kate's diagnosis.

Lifting the lid on his dad and wife's cancer battles he has described the year as "brutal" and "dreadful".

He and mum-of-three Kate cancelled a trip to Italy and to see British troops in the Baltic.

Kate had aimed to time her return for the Remembrance services, plus her Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.