The Princess of Wales has shared behind-the-scenes details of her fourth annual Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey.

“Something exciting is coming …,” Kate’s team wrote on X, adding emojis of a Christmas tree and music note.

“The invitations are fresh off the press for this year’s Together At Christmas Carol Service, which will be returning to Westminster Abbey on Friday 6 December,” the caption continued.

The clip, which had clocked up 250,000 views by early Thursday (AEDT), shows large white invitation cards stamped with the official gold royal seal with the cypher reading C, for Catherine, Kate’s full name and the one the royal family prefers.

Kate, 42, who is recovering from cancer after what the Prince of Wales described as a “brutal” year, is going ahead with her televised festive event at Westminster Abbey, the same location she married Prince William in 2011.

This will be her most prominent return to royal engagements since she ended months of cancer treatment.

Kate has made only a handful of public appearances this year, after having major abdominal surgery in January.

After disappearing from public view for two months, she delivered an emotional video message to the world in March, revealing she was having preventative chemotherapy when subsequent tests revealed cancer.

Last weekend, she attended two high-profile Remembrance Day events to commemorate those who lost their lives in conflict as part of her gradual return to official duties.

The carol service – the fourth the princess has organised – will be the first major royal event she has hosted herself since her health battle.

“This year’s service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives,” her office, Kensington Palace, said on Tuesday.

That message echoes the one Kate gave in an update on her health in September when she said her illness had made her grateful for “simply loving and being loved”.

On a solo trip to Africa last week, William, 42, said Kate was doing “really well” and she had been “amazing” this year.

But he also said it had been “brutal” for the family with Kate’s treatment coming after the King’s own cancer diagnosis.

Who’s invited?

In the concert’s inaugural year in 2021, Kate used it to honour individuals and groups who helped communities during the global Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2022, she dedicated the concert to the late Queen Elizabeth, who had died just two months earlier.

Last year, William and Kate took their three children, George, 11, Charlotte, 9 and Louis, 6, to the Abbey, where the theme was children and families and to highlight the Shaping Up campaign she launched through the Centre for Early Childhood.

Joining Kate and other members of the royal family at this year’s service will be 1600 invitees who have supported others in their communities.

The Independent reports there will musical performances by stars such as Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter.

“Among invited guests will be those who have supported others, either on a personal level with friends and family, or through their work or volunteering,” it wrote.

“Names have been nominated by charities associated with the royal family, and by Lord Lieutenants, the King’s representatives in counties across the UK.”

The event is filmed and broadcast as part of a special program on British TV on Christmas Eve.