Kate Middleton and Prince William share Christmas message after Queen cancels royal family plans

Kensington Palace Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey

Kate Middleton and Prince William share their Christmas wishes with people around the world who have had to change their holiday plans due to the rising number of COVID cases.

“This Christmas will be different to how many of us had planned,” the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday. “From those who are alone or having to isolate from loved ones, to the incredible people supporting our NHS and caring for those most in need – we are thinking of you. W & C.”

The royal couple had to rethink their Christmas plans this year after William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, cancelled the traditional royal family gathering at Sandringham.

As the omicron variant of the coronavirus led to a rise in the number of cases in the UK, the 95-year-old monarch decided to stay at Windsor Castle.

A royal source said it was a personal decision made after “careful consideration” and reflected an ongoing “precautionary approach”. The source added that she would be visited by various family members over the Christmas holidays.

William, Kate and their three children – Prince George (8), Princess Charlotte (6) and Prince Louis (3) – are ringing in the holidays at their country house Anmer Hall in Norfolk on the Queen's Sandringham estate. Members of the Middleton family are expected in their spacious 10-bedroom house.

Chris Jackson/Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William

On Christmas Eve, Kate’s musical talents were showcased during the broadcast of her Christmas together Broadcast of the Christmas service. The King accompanied singer Tom Walker in a surprise duet on the piano.

According to a royal source, the idea for the performance came from the Duchess of Cambridge herself.

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Alex Bramall Kate Middleton

She learned piano as a child and found “great comfort” in making music during the pandemic. Then in October this year, she attended a Forward Trust event, where she met Walker, 30, and heard him play “Leave a Light On,” his song about the struggles of addiction.

William and Kate are like any other parent on Christmas morning: they are woken up very early by their excited children.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Instagram The Cambridge family Christmas card 2021

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During the royal family's traditional walk to church on Christmas morning 2018, William was asked how early the couple got up.

William replied, “It was about 5 o'clock this morning.” Kate smiled at the answer, while the crowd groaned at the early hour.