KATE'S NEXT MAJOR MILESTONE

"This is Kate's night," a royal expert tells OK!, as the Princess of Wales reveals she will be hosting her annual carol service this year

The Princess of Wales' recent return to the spotlight revealed just how important the values of family, friendship and love have been to her this year. It was those key principles that featured throughout her two appearances at Remembrance events honouring the nation's servicemen and women, while they also served as the inspiration behind Kate's next big move.

More details of the princess' fourth annual Together At Christmas carol service, to be held at Westminster Abbey, were also released, with Kate, 42, deciding to make this year's theme "the importance of love and empathy and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives".

It's a fitting way to sum up what the Prince of Wales described as a "brutal" past 12 months for the family, and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond explains how Kate's concert will be a highlight at the end of an extremely challenging year.

"This carol concert is Catherine's way of thanking all those who have supported her and shown her kindness - and of course she is broadening it out to include everyone in society who is going through tough times, and everyone who is lending their help and support to others," Jennie exclusively tells OK!.

"I think it's lovely that the congregation will be largely made up of people who've helped or been helped. And I think this is why she picked this theme for the concert.

It is very much her event and her opportunity to make it a platform for what she wants us all to focus on." On the return of the service, which is supported by the Royal Foundation, Kensington Palace notes, "This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need - individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted, and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive.