Princess Kate’s three-word message to cancer charity workers on Christmas Day

The graciously expressed her gratitude to a group of cancer charity workers as they lined the path for the annual walkabout to St Mary Magdalene Church this morning.

The 42-year-old revealed that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year, before completing her chemotherapy treatment at the end of the summer.

Kate looked delighted to be joining her family on the annual Christmas Day walk ahead of the 11am service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Speaking to well-wishers along the route, Kate could be heard telling royal fans that she was “hugely grateful” to the hundreds of people who had written to her offering their support after learning of her cancer diagnosis.

Shortly after Princess Charlotte received a gift from a little girl, a woman who had told Kate: “I just wanted to say you are an inspiration to all the patients.”

The Princess of Wales replied: ‘The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families. People like you are doing all the hard work out there.”

Before making her way to the church, Kate expressed her gratitude by adding: “I’m hugely grateful.”

Another woman added, “We’re all behind you, never forget that.” To this comment, Kate replied, “Thank you very much, [that’s] so kind, nice to meet you.”

Also in the sea of spectators lining the route, Karen Maclean from North Lincolnshire had the opportunity to speak with both Charles and Kate – and gave Kate a hug.

Ms Maclean, who shared that she had “20 years of cancer”, said: “We just had a little talk about cancer, really. I’ve met the King before. He said to me ‘I can remember you’, I’m thinking ‘what!’, like many years ago?”

Speaking of the King and Kate, she added that they appeared to be doing “very well”.

Shortly after hugging Kate, she said: “What a privilege.”