Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Join Christmas Day Walk to Church After 'Brutal' Year

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stepped out alongside their parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, for the royal family's traditional Christmas Day walk to church.

Led by their grandfather, King Charles, the children smiled and greeted well-wishers who lined the route as the family made their way to church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham in Norfolk, where the royal family gathers each year to celebrate the holiday.

The family of five coordinated their outfits in shades of blue and green, presenting a united front after what has been a challenging year for the young family.

It has been a difficult period for George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, as their mother, the Princess of Wales, 42, was diagnosed with cancer following a planned abdominal surgery in January. When she announced her cancer and chemotherapy treatment in March, Kate said that she and William "have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time."

The trio of siblings remained out of the spotlight until June’s Trooping the Colour, which they attended alongside their parents to celebrate the official birthday of their grandfather, King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year.

In an emotional video, Kate announced on Sept. 9 that she had completed chemotherapy in a clip that also featured William, 42, and their kids. Shot in Norfolk in August by Will Warr, the decision to film there is a poignant one, as the family of five cherish their time at their country home, Anmer Hall, where they are currently staying as they celebrate Christmas with other members of the royal family on the Sandringham estate.

Related: Kate Middleton and Prince William Share Poignant Christmas Card with George, Charlotte and Louis After 'Hardest' Year

A scene from the moving video was used for the Wales family's Christmas card, released publicly on Dec. 19 and a rare move for the family, as they typically release a new photo for the holiday — driving home how meaningful that video announcement was to the family.

On Dec. 6, George, Charlotte and Louis supported their mother at her annual Together at Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey and, in another return to normalcy after a very abnormal year, are taking part in the traditional Christmas festivities at Sandringham, including the yearly walk the morning of Dec. 25 to church at St. Mary Magdalene, nestled on Sandringham’s grounds.

Related: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Make First Public Appearance in Six Months: 'It's Been a Difficult Year'

“It’s been such a difficult year for them,” Sophie Mirman, founder and creative director of Trotters (the brand behind the burgundy coat Princess Charlotte wore to the carol concert earlier this month) told PEOPLE of George, Charlotte and Louis. “It’s wonderful to see them all together.”

William echoed those sentiments in November when he said that 2024 has been "the hardest year in my life."

"It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life...I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been brutal," he continued.

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A source close to the royal household said of Kate: “Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”

Read the original article on People