Kate Middleton Won’t ‘Take Another Holiday Season With Her Family for Granted’ After Health Scare

Just before the annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, Princess Kate Middleton released a note about the importance of love. The holiday season offers an “opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all,” she wrote. “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.”

Three months after she announced the end of her chemotherapy, Kate, 42 , feels incredibly grateful to resume her public life. In early December, she joined Prince William in welcoming the Emir of Qatar and his wife to England. “It’s a really special time for Kate because she remembers how she felt at Christmas last year, and it’s been a complete 180,” a friend exclusively tells Closer.

As the holidays approach, she’s enlisted the aid of her three children, George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, for some of her favorite seasonal activities. “Kate and the kids will make treats for their neighbors as they always do, but Kate will be back to hand delivering them this year,” says the friend, who adds that some of her baked goodies will also be gifted to staff, family and friends.

Since joining the royal family in 2011, Kate has cheerfully thrown herself into good works. Resuming her public duties and charity sponsorship after being forced to take time away due to her cancer treatments has given Kate perspective. “Now she sees her job as ‘service’ to the people in an even greater light,” says the friend, who notes that the princess is even taking on new causes without seeking attention. “Kate does charitable projects with the children, but she tries to keep a low profile,” explains the friend, “so that it’s not about them and more about the people they’re helping.”

SEASON OF BEAUTY

The young family will join in the traditional church service and Christmas lunch with the other senior royals at Sandringham House, King Charles III’s country home two hours outside London, on December 25, but they will also enjoy some time at home. “They will sleep at Anmer Hall so that the kids can wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning before taking the five-minute drive to Sandringham,” explains the friend.

Kate expects this year’s walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church, where the annual holiday service is held, to be very meaningful. “The public walk to church brings on a lot of emotions because of how supportive the public have been of her through her health crisis,” explains the friend.
After church, the family will enjoy a traditional feast and exchange small presents. “The gifts for the family — including Charles — are never anything big,” says the friend. “Just things like socks with his beloved dogs’ faces on them. Thoughtful and funny gifts.”

On Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, Kate and her family will visit with her parents and her siblings, Pippa and James, and their families. “Kate tries to be there for William even more around the holidays when she knows he misses his mom — and now his brother,” says the friend.

It’s Kate’s greatest wish that everyone she loves will celebrate many more Christmases together. Says the friend: “She won’t ever take another holiday season with her family for granted.”