Kate Middleton Invites Southport Attack Survivors to Carol Service

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

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

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

Kate and her husband, Prince William, issued a statement expressing their condolences in the aftermath of the attack. “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through,” they shared in July. “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack.”

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

Kate has hosted her holiday service for several years, but the celebration will be even more meaningful following her difficult year. Kate announced in March that she was diagnosed with cancer after undergoing a planned abdominal surgery two months prior. She’s taken a step back from her public-facing duties amid her recovery, revealing in September that she completed chemotherapy treatment.

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,” she shared 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 road unknown. … This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”

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

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

Kate eased herself back into the royal spotlight, attending the Festival of Remembrance on November 9 and a Remembrance Sunday memorial service at the Cenotaph on November 10. In a revealing interview with the U.K.’s 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 be back in action when she feels ready.

“I think, hopefully, Catherine will be doing a bit more next year,” he said. “So, we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”