Kate Middleton invites Southport attack survivors to Carol Service

Princess Kate Middleton has made some thoughtful additions to the guest list of its annual Christmas carol service.

The Princess of Wales, 42, reportedly invited families and survivors of a fatal stabbing in Southport, England, to her Christmas carol service. The annual event will take place on December 6 at Westminster Abbey in London.

In July, three children were murdered at a Taylor Swift–theme yoga and dance class. Another ten people, eight of whom were children, were injured in the mass stabbing. A suspect, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was arrested at the scene and charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a knife.

Kate and her husband, Prince Williamissued a statement expressing their condolences in the aftermath of the attack. “As parents, we cannot imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of the dead and injured in Southport are going through today,” they shared in July. “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to everyone involved in this horrific and horrific attack.”

Related: Kate Middleton teases annual ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol concert

Princess Kate Middleton’s annual carol service ‘Together at Christmas’ returns this holiday season. “Something exciting is coming… 🎄🎵,” read a Wednesday, November 13, Instagram post on Kate, 42, and on husband Prince William’s official page. “Invitations are hot off the press for this year’s ‘Together At Christmas Carol Service’, which returns to […]

Earlier this month, the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a glimpse of the invitations being printed for Kate’s Together at Christmas Carol Service. “Something exciting coming… 🎄🎵,” read the caption of one video, which showed stationery decorated with Kate’s royal monogram.

Kate has been hosting her holiday service for several years, but the celebration will be even more meaningful after her difficult year. Kate announced in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing planned abdominal surgery two months earlier. She has taken a step back from her public duties during her recovery, revealing in September that she had completed chemotherapy treatment.

“The past nine months have been incredibly difficult for us as a family,” she said in a statement at the time. “Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and unknown roads. … Above all, this time has reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple but important things in life that so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”

Related: A look inside Kate Middleton’s ’emotional’ first event since finishing chemotherapy

Princess Kate Middleton’s first public event since announcing the end of her cancer treatment was nothing short of powerful. As she spoke to emergency workers who rushed to help survivors of a fatal knife attack in Southport earlier this year, the 42-year-old Princess of Wales shared the impact they were having on grieving parents. […]

Kate noted that her “path to healing and full recovery is a long one,” adding that she was “looking forward to being back at work and taking on a few more public engagements in the coming months, when I can.” . She further thanked her supporters for their “kindness, empathy and compassion” during her health battle.

“To all those continuing their own cancer journey, I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. From darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright,” she concluded.

Putting herself back in the royal spotlight, Kate attended the Festival of Remembrance on November 9 and a memorial service on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph on November 10. In a revealing interview with the British The times Published this month, William, 42, hinted that his wife – with whom he shares Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 – will return to action when she feels ready.

“I think next year hopefully Catherine will do a little bit more,” he said. “So we may have a few more trips planned.”