After experiencing a truly difficult year that saw Kate Middleton spending less time in the spotlight than ever as she recovered from surgery and went through chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales was able to join her family to celebrate the holidays. Making a rare public appearance on Christmas Day, Kate took part in the traditional walkabout at Sandringham, and witnesses say that the princess looked “so happy” to be there.
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Kate was there with the rest of her family, including her kids.
Each year, members of the family walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham in Norfolk on Christmas Day, stopping to talk to members of the public who have gathered there to wish them well along the way. Despite Kate’s reduced workload as she recovers from chemotherapy, she joined husband Prince William and kids Princess Charlotte, and Princes George and Louis for the walk. According to People, she was in a “comforting and uplifting” mood as she interacted with those who were waiting to see her along the path.
Kate stayed to talk to people longer than any other member of the family.
People reported that at one moment, Kate even joked, “I think I’ve lost my family!” only to find them waiting for her at the end of the path as she took her time chatting with people. It makes sense that she’d want to soak it all in; the outlet said that “there was a clear sense of joy and relief in her demeanor” during her interactions.
One man traveled from France to see Kate and deliver a gift.
Having met Kate once before, after he found out about her diagnosis, teacher Louis Beauchamp decided to fly to England to see her on Christmas and hand deliver a scarf he had made for her in Morocco.
“She thanked me very much and said it was wonderful and so kind of me to have come again,” he told People. He added, “She was as genuine and close to people as I remembered. She seemed so happy to be with us again. You could tell she was truly touched.”
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Another onlooker described her interaction with Kate.
Karen Maclean, a 73-year-old woman who has lived with cancer for more than 20 years, told Sky News that Kate gave her a hug after she found out that Karen had traveled from North Lincolnshire just to see her.
“We just had a little talk about cancer,” she said, according to People.
King Charles also made it to the Christmas walk.
King Charles also faced a cancer battle of his own over the past year — something that Karen said she discussed with him as well. After seeing both Charles and Kate in person, she said that they both looked “very well actually, considering what they’re going through.”
That seems like a good sign going into the new year. Here’s hoping we see more of them both soon.
