Kate Middleton Makes Rare Comment About Her Cancer Journey: ‘I Didn’t Know This Year Was Going to Be Like This’

Kate Middleton made a candid revelation about the year she has faced after undergoing treatment for cancer in a rare comment about at her carol service.

The Princess of Wales, 42, stepped out at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6 for the fourth edition of her carol service on Dec. 6, her most major event since she shared on Sept. 9 that she completed chemotherapy. 

When asked about her health by pop star and Together at Christmas performer Paloma Faith, Kate said shed light on her challenging year.

“I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had,” Princess Kate said, as seen in a video shared to X by Channel 5 News in the U.K.

“The unplanned,” Faith said.

“The unplanned, exactly,” the Princess of Wales repeated, nodding her head, adding, “But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.”

The Princess of Wales chose the meaningful themes of love and empathy for her carol service, held towards the end of the year she previously described as an “incredibly tough” time after sharing in March that she was receiving treatment for cancer Her husband, Prince William, also previously described it as a “brutal” year, which he said in November has “probably been the hardest year in my life” as both his wife and father, King Charles, navigated cancer diagnoses.

Leaning in to love despite tough times, Kensington Palace previously said that the 1,600 guests at Princess Kate’s Together at Christmas concert would include those who went the extra mile for their communities, and people who have experienced difficult times this year.

It was previously announced that Princess Kate invited families and survivors from the town of Southport to her carol service, underscoring support for the community grieving in the wake of mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in which three children were killed and 10 others, including eight children, were injured. 

After it was announced that she completed chemo, Princess Kate joined Prince William for a surprise visit to Southport where they met families of the three young girls who were killed, and others involved in the tragedy, including the dance teacher who witnessed the horror. PEOPLE understands that the Prince and Princess of Wales wanted to visit Southport to show the community they have not been forgotten and that they’ll continue to stand by them, and Princess Kate did just that with the Together at Christmas invitations. 

The Princess of Wales’ carol service was loaded with emotional symbolism illuminating the power of love to uplift. Princess Kate sent guests a emotional letter about love as a light and evening’s order of service featured a heartwarming illustration by Charlie Mackesy of a group of people walking towards Westminster Abbey, with their arms interlinked and a meaningful message. “How did I help?” the text read, answered by the reply, “You were by my side. Which was everything.” 

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Continuing tradition, Prince William also delivered a poignant reading which included the powerful line: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.”

It was a royal family affair at the Together at Christmas service, where the Princess of Wales was supported by her husband William, their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, her parents and siblings and several members of the royal family. 

Princess Kate’s appearance there didn’t signal a full return to royal duties, but fulfilled her hope expressed on Sept. 9 that she hoped to undertake “a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.” PEOPLE learned then that Kate was planning for her holiday concert.

Step inside the royals’ holiday traditions with PEOPLE’s Special Edition: Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album.