The Princess of Wales made a heartbreaking confession regarding her health woes in the last year during her Christmas carol concert on Friday.

Princess Kate attended her annual Together at Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey as she makes a a gradual return to public events after completing her cancer treatment.

Kate spoke about how she “didn’t know” what this year would bring during her last Christmas carol concert.

Friday marked the fourth time the princess has held her event at Westminster Abbey in celebration of the positive qualities found in many and to bring festive cheer to the capital and associated events around the country.

Celebrity performers included Faith, Richard E Grant and Gregory Porter, with Sir Chris Hoy giving a reading for the 1,600 guests who have supported others, whether friends or family, helped individuals through their work or volunteered.

While speaking to Paloma Faith, the future Queen was heard on broadcast footage saying: “I didn’t know this year was going to be the year I’ve just had.”

When Faith replied “the unplanned”, the princess said:

“The unplanned, exactly. But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times.”

Kate had travelled ahead of her family to meet the celebrities taking part and personally thank them for their time.

She told jazz singer Mr Porter: “Thank you, I’m conscious it’s such a busy time for everybody.”

She turned to Ms Faith, in a red dress, and singer-songwriter JP Cooper, who wore a similar coloured coat, and smiled as she said: “It’s a celebration, everybody’s wearing red.

Faith joked about her eight-year-old daughter, who said, when told her mother was leaving home to sing for a princess: “Are they going to chop your head off?”

The singer and Kate laughed as the performer said: “I don’t think they do that any more.”