PREPARING FOR A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES LOOK FORWARD TO FESTIVE FAMILY.FUN AFTER THEIR DIFFICULT YEAR

Christmas is "one of my favourite times of the year", wrote the Princess of Wales in a letter shared with guests ahead of her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey - and as they gather around the Christmas tree this year with their beloved children, she and her husband the Prince will have much to be grateful for.

After a "brutal" year for their family, William and Kate may well reflect on how this Christmas could be their most meaningful one yet.

With the Princess's treatment for cancer behind them and better times ahead, the couple will surround themselves with the loved ones who have seen them through this most challenging of years.

"Their experience has changed them," royal author Robert Jobson tells HELLO!. "They both have a new appreciation of life, so as a family, it will be a time for reflection and realising how precious life is." The Waleses are set to join the rest of the royal family for a magical Christmas at Sandringham, marking the end of a hugely challenging year for them all.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

But before they depart Windsor for the holidays, William and Kate can look forward to plenty of festive fun with Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and sixyear-old Prince Louis.

The family will enjoy school carol concerts and a Christmas fair.

In previous years, they have visited Lapland UK, gone ice-skating and walked the Winter Light Trail in the grounds of Sandringham; the attraction opened earlier this month and will remain open to visitors until Christmas Eve.

Once at Anmer Hall, their tenbedroom country retreat in Norfolk, they can fully unwind, getting outside for walks, playing board games - Risk and Monopoly are favourites and enjoying an annual viewing of the classic Will Ferrell comedy Elf.

Sources tell HELLO! that Princess Charlotte is thought to be a star turn during family gatherings, having inherited the late Queen's comedic ability to mimic others.

And George, Charlotte and Louis are also encouraged to join in with festive cooking and baking, plus arts and crafts.