Duchess Catherine and Prince William’s Christmas message reveals hopes 'for a better 2021'

Duchess Catherine and Prince William's Christmas message on their official Instagram revealed that the couple are “wishing for a better 2021”. 

• Duchess Catherine and Prince William shared a poignant message on Instagram this Christmas.
• In their post, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared how they felt wishing people a merry Christmas "doesn’t feel right this year". 
• In other Royal News (opens in new tab), the Queen's speech is the most viewed programme on Christmas Day (opens in new tab). 

Duchess Catherine and Prince William’s Christmas plans (opens in new tab) are thought to have changed dramatically this year, much like thousands of families’ Christmas plans across the country. With the ongoing effects of the pandemic meaning the Queen and Prince Philip have spent Christmas at Windsor Castle (opens in new tab), it was previously believed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would be spending the big day with the Duchess’ family. 

But with Tier 4 restrictions coming into force and affecting Berkshire where the Middletons reside, it is now thought that the couple and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis celebrated at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall (opens in new tab). 

Posting on Instagram the Duke and Duchess shared their thoughts on this rather unusual Christmas, reflecting on how different this year’s festivities have felt for everyone.

What did Duchess Catherine and Prince William’s Christmas message say?

In their official Kensington Royal Instagram account post, Duchess Catherine and Prince William wrote: ‘This Christmas our thoughts are with those of you who are spending today alone, those of you who are grief stricken from the loss of a loved one and those of you on the frontline who are somehow mustering the energy to put your own lives on hold and at risk to look after the rest of us.”

Continuing their heartfelt caption, the couple added: ‘Wishing you a merry Christmas doesn’t feel right this year, so instead we’re wishing for a better 2021’.

They also included links to many places offering support to those who are struggling, including mental health charity Mind (opens in new tab), Samaritans (opens in new tab) and free, confidential, anonymous text support service Shout 85258 (opens in new tab).

The official Kensington Palace Instagram account also shared a series of pictures as part of the post which highlight exactly how different this Christmas has been.

With the new restrictions coming into force and many counties being placed into Tier 4, Christmas has been a difficult time for people up and down the country. Many families will have spent the big day away from loved ones.

As we look ahead to the start of 2021, it seems likely that Duchess Catherine and Prince William will not be the only ones who are wishing for a better year.