Princess Kate’s brother James praises his sister in sweet tribute as she leads Christmas carol concert

PRINCESS Kate’s younger brother James has praised his sister in a sweet tribute as she leads the Christmas carol concert.

The 37-year-old entrepreneur put his support behind his beloved sister after her tough year, where she completed preventative chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

James posted to Instagram on Tuesday sharing a picture of the concert’s programme, along with a beautiful message.

In the post, James praised his “incredible sister” for spreading a “powerful” message through her annual service.

He added a quote from Kate, which read: “At Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other.

“Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light.

“A very powerful message from my incredible sister at a special time of year. Merry Christmas to you all.”

It comes as Princess Kate emphasised the “importance of empathy” in a message of hope at her star-studded Christmas carol service.

The Princess of Wales called for people to “slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all” and turn to “love, not fear” as she opened the televised service.

The fourth annual Together at Christmas concert was filmed at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, with husband Prince William and children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis in attendance.

It featured performances by Paloma Faith, jazz singer Gregory Porter, singer-songwriter JP Cooper, alongside the Soul Sanctuary Choir, and new singing talent Olivia Dean.

Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who revealed he has terminal prostrate cancer in recent weeks, lit a candle, as did wife of late rugby league star Rob Burrow, who died in June following a battle with motor neurone disease.

Readings were also given by actors Richard E Grant, Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, and Sophie Okonedo, as well as Olympic swimming gold medallist Adam Peaty.

However, Kate, 42, is understood to have refused to invite scandal-hit royal Prince Andrew to the bash.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly not keen to have the disgraced Duke of York at their public events – and rejected a proposal to have him seated behind a pillar, it is claimed.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES

Meanwhile, earlier today Kate gave a sweet message after sharing behind-the-scenes footage from the concert.

In a video she could be seen beaming as she greeted children in an unseen montage.

A post from the Waleses’ Instagram today said: “This service reflects upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.

“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this year’s celebrations.”

It comes after Kate began easing back into public duties after announcing she was cancer-free in September.

She officially returned to work last month when she joined William for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, London.