The Princess of Wales wrote a personal and highly emotional message and she appeared to be offering an olive branch to Prince Harry.
The Princess of Wales appeared to offer an olive branch to her estranged brother-in-law, Prince Harry, in what was her first Christmas message sent to those attending her Christmas Carol concert this year.
This year’s festive event will welcome 1,600 guests who will attend the annual service next Friday, December 6, at Westminster Abbey, with Princess Kate and other members of the Royal Family expected to attend.
Each guest will receive a special letter from Kate alongside their Order of Service, which will be the first time the royal has written a letter for her Christmas carol concert.
The message, which was published tonight, echoes the service’s theme and focuses heavily on “forgiveness”, “empathy” and “love”, with the princess appearing to be making a peace offering to the Duke of Sussex.
Prince Harry has been estranged from the Royal Family since he quit the Firm and moved to the US nearly five years ago, however, this year’s challenges regarding his family’s health, like King Charles and Kate’s cancer diagnoses have made several royal watchers speculate whether they could lead to a new path for a possible reconciliation in the future.
The future Queen wrote that Christmas, apart from being one of her favourite times of the year, is also “a time for celebration and joy” and gives us an “opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all”.
She said: “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.”
In what could subtly be a nod to her brother-in-law, Kate said that Christmas can encourage people to “consider the experiences and feelings of others” and remind them of “the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences”.
She added: “Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.
“The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.”
Prince Harry has only been to the UK a handful of times this year, one of which was back in February after King Charles’s cancer diagnosis was announced.
Following his trip back home, the duke declared that he “loves” his family, with many hoping that it could signal a different approach to solving the ongoing feud.
The Princess of Wales appeared to offer an olive branch to Prince Harry in a personal message that will be shared with attendees in her carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 6.
The handwritten letter spoke of “love, kindness and forgiveness – so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.”
The mother of two also suggested a further peace offering reminding the nation “of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences.”
The Duke of Sussex is thought to be not on speaking terms with Prince William or King Charles.
The Princess of Wales appeared to offer an olive branch to Prince Harry in a personal message
Prince Harry has remained distanced from the Royal Family since the announcement that he and Meghan Markle would step down as senior working royals.
Princess Catherine added: “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.”
She encouraged Britons to “consider the experiences and feelings of others” across the holiday period.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will host 1,600 guests in Catherine’s fourth annual service.
Princess Kate has written a letter for guests to her upcoming concertKensington Palace
She added: “Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.”
“The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others.
“Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope.”
Kate signed the letter with her handwritten signature “Catherine”, accompanied by: “Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales will host 1,600 guests in Catherine’s fourth annual service
Following his trip back to the UK in February after Charles’s cancer diagnosis, the duke declared that he “loves” his family.
Prince Harry is reportedly set to return to the UK in January 2025 for his ongoing court case against News Group Newspapers.
The royal feud follows several accusations the Duke of Sussex revealed since moving to California.
He released his controversial memoir Spare in 2023 and has spoken out about the intuitions treatment of Meghan after she married into the family in 2018.
