Kate Middleton and Prince William to Celebrate Meaningful Christmas with King Charles at Sandringham

Christmas at Sandringham is a cherished tradition for the royal family. This year, it provides a sense of normalcy for Kate Middleton and Prince William following a challenging twelve months. The couple, both 42, plan to celebrate the holiday with their three children—Prince George, aged 11, Princess Charlotte, aged 9, and Prince Louis, aged 6—alongside King Charles and much of the royal family.

This holiday season carries significant emotional weight, especially for Kate and King Charles, aged 76. Both have dealt with serious health challenges over the past year. Kate completed her chemotherapy treatment, which began in February, as announced in September. Charles, diagnosed with cancer around the same period, continues his treatment. While details regarding their specific types of cancer remain undisclosed, the impact on both has been profound.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will not attend the annual gathering; they are spending Christmas in the U.S., as confirmed by PEOPLE. Sources indicate they did not receive an invitation. Harry, presently involved in legal disputes about the removal of his security, feels it isn’t safe to bring his family back. Additionally, communication struggles between Harry and his father persist, with reports indicating Harry’s calls often "go unanswered." Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, home base for William and Kate, have declined to comment on the guest list.

St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate will serve as a place for reflection this Christmas. Both Charles and Kate facing serious health battles has made this year particularly taxing for the royal family. William described the last year as "brutal" during a November interview in Cape Town, South Africa. He openly stated, "It's probably been the hardest year of my life," due to a lot of family turmoil and strain.

In January, King Charles and Princess Kate were both hospitalized for different health issues—Charles for treatment regarding an enlarged prostate and Kate for planned abdominal surgery. Reports indicate their stays overlapped, during which Charles visited Kate. Just before she announced her cancer treatment in March, Charles treated her to a private lunch at Windsor Castle. Following their hospital visits, they both found cancer diagnoses, which impacted their public appearances and workloads significantly.

In September, Kate shared a poignant message about their family's struggles with cancer. She described the past nine months as notably demanding, saying, "Life—as you know it—can change in an instant." She elaborated on the challenging aspects of the cancer journey, highlighting how it fosters a new perspective and confronts one's vulnerabilities.

Charles has been at Sandringham with Queen Camilla, who is recovering from a recently announced chest infection. He has occasionally traveled to London for his cancer treatments and engagements. During this time, it is believed that he has been preparing for the upcoming holiday festivities.

On December 6, Kate will come together with William and other family members for her annual Together at Christmas carol service, marking a festive conclusion to a very demanding year.

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