Putting what has been described as ‘a year from hell’ behind them, the world watched on in tears earlier this month as Prince William and Kate Middleton, alongside their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six - stood reunited to poignantly celebrate individuals and organisations who care for others through difficult and often heartbreaking times.
Taking centre stage at her Royal Carols: Together at Christmas service at Westminster Abbey was a glowing Kate, 42, who has bravely fought her own health battle this year after revealing her diagnosis of an undisclosed type of cancer in March.
And now, as the Royal Family pull together more than ever, insiders say Prince William, who recently described this year as the ‘hardest’ of his life, is determined that the New Year rings in a new chapter for Kate by whisking her off her feet for a second romantic ‘honeymoon’.
A source says, ‘The last year has left them closer than ever. The foundations of their marriage are impregnable and the hardship of this year has brought making time for one another so very, very important.
‘Wills is ever the romantic - Kate values their alone time, nothing is more special than having her prince to herself. So he's planning a romantic getaway - just the two of them - Wills has set the wheels in motion to whisk Kate away. And those close to them wouldn’t be surprised if the royal couple took this time out to reaffirm their wedding vows in a private blessing.'
Understandably keeping the details of her chemotherapy schedule under wraps and retreating to focus on her health and young family for most of the year, Kate became an inspiration to cancer sufferers and their families in September when she and William released a video to announce the end of Kate’s treatment.
And while the message was hopeful and celebratory, Kate described her path to ‘healing and full recovery’ as ‘long’, and the source says Prince William, 42, is keenly aware of how much Kate has juggled this year, both mentally and physically.
They add, ‘This has been a tough year for Kate and Wills and a complete emotional roller coaster. He’s confided to friends that everything has been thrown in their path, but he is proud of how they have weathered the storm.
'However, he has watched on as Kate has had to operate on autopilot this year to put on a normal show for the children and to get by - so an MOT for the soul is much needed for them both to reconnect.’
And while the whole family have retreated to Anmer Hall, their home close to a secluded beach in Norfolk, the insider reveals how Africa could be just the place for William and Kate to unwind as a couple.
The breath-taking scenery of the Kenyan mountains holds a special place in both of their hearts as, while they married at Westminster Abbey and honeymooned in the Seychelles, the picturesque African spot was the backdrop of William’s proposal to Kate in a wildlife hut back in 2010.
Whilst staying at the 55,000 acre Lewa Private Estate, William flew Kate high up the slopes of Mt Kenya to propose on the shores of one of the mountains stunning glacial lakes.
The country was also a favourite of his mother, Princess Diana’s, and holds a connection to his grandmother, the late Queen, as the place she first heard the news of her ascension to the throne in 1952.
Now the source adds, ‘They want to go somewhere secluded - Wills has employed a trusted family friend in assisting with this very special private getaway to a place of extreme importance – Africa and the wildlife reserves are a love for them both. To have their wedding blessed there after 14 years would be really special.’
But ultimately, the source says the couple are most thankful that they still have each other’s shoulders to lean on after their own annus horribilis.
While the rift between the Royal Family and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry only appears to be deepening after the release of the Sussexes new Netflix documentary last week, King Charles also continues his own treatment for cancer following his diagnosis earlier this year.
But while more royal drama is set to ensue with reports that Princess Eugenie has been left ‘torn’ between spending Christmas with the royals or accepting an invitation from an ‘isolated’ Harry and Meghan to spend the season at their home in Montecito, California, the source says William and Kate are instead focusing on all they have to be thankful for.
The insider says, ‘They have both taken this year fully in their stride but it has been incredibly hard. Now, after battening down the hatches to emerge stronger, they are more thankful than ever before for their love and their children.’