Prince William and Princess Kate were all smiles at the annual Christmas Day Sandringham walk this week with their three children after what has been a “brutal” year for the couple.
Just months ago, Prince William, 42, said 2024 has been one of the “hardest” years of his life after Kate was diagnosed with cancer following an operation, resulting in her having to step back from royal duties as she underwent treatment.
The princess finished her chemotherapy in September and has since made a gradual return to work as she continues her recovery.
While the future King and Queen have tried to keep life as normal as possible for their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at their Windsor cottage this year, it has been widely reported that Kate’s family have been a huge help for the princess, especially Carole and Michael Middleton – the two people the couple reportedly relied on during their “darkest days”.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: “I think William and Catherine should be rightly proud of their brood and proud of themselves for guiding them through this incredibly difficult year.”
She continued: “I think a shout-out should also go to Carole and Michael Middleton, who have undoubtedly been a vital part of the family this year, both practically and emotionally.
“I’m sure William and Catherine leant on them very hard during their darkest days.”
The royal expert also said that as well as being on hand to help with practical needs, Carole and Michael are likely to have also helped keep the children happy, with Prince Louis having revealed this in a sweet note.
Before Princess Kate’s carol concert on December 6, the six-year-old and his siblings were invited to put a note up on the Kindness Tree outside Westminster Abbey, thanking someone who had helped them.
Louis’ note was spotted by a photographer and read: “Thank you to granny and grandpa because they have played games with me.”
Jennie Bond told OK!: “As we know from Louis’ card on the tree at the carol service, Granny and Grandpa are great playmates for their grandchildren and have put in more than a shift or two playing games with them.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to suspect we’ll see more of them in 2025, but there will be the usual occasional public appearance as their parents gently acclimatise them to life in the public eye.”
It is likely the family would have spent time with the Middletons this Christmas, despite spending Christmas Day at Sandringham with the Royal Family.
