In Pictures: Carol service brings some joy at end of difficult year for royals

The King and Princess of Wales revealed they had been diagnosed with cancer during a difficult year for the royal family.

The royal family faced a difficult and upsetting year as both the King and Princess of Wales revealed they had been diagnosed with cancer.

The health blows faced by Charles and Kate torpedoed any plans for a run-of-the-mill year as the King looked to settle in amid the aftermath of the late Queen’s death and his accession in 2022 and the hectic demands of the coronation in 2023.

But the year ended on a more positive note, with Charles going on a tour of Australia and Samoa and Kate enjoying a Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey with the Prince of Wales and her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Photographers from the PA news agency were on hand throughout the year to capture the highs and the lows.

The King reads cards and messages, sent by well-wishers, following his cancer diagnosis (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Camilla holding a sign that reads 'send our love to Kate' that she received from well-wishers during a visit to Shrewsbury — Camilla, who took on more responsibilities as her husband recovered, received a message of support for the Princess of Wales from well-wishers during a visit to to Shrewsbury in March (Chris Jackson/PA)

The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in June — In June, the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen with their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Trooping the Colour (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The King and Queen, seated on thrones, during the State Opening of Parliament — The King and Queen also attended the State Opening of Parliament in July, which took place on Camilla’s birthday (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

The Princess of Wales and husband William smile as they hug their three children — The Princess of Wales appeared in a deeply personal video with her family in September as she confirmed she would return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy course (Will Warr/Kensington Palace/PA)

Sarah, Duchess of York, pours a pint while on a visit to the set of Coronation Street in Manchester, watched by actress Sally Dynevor — Sarah, Duchess of York, also had some time in the spotlight as she poured a pint while on a visit to the set of Coronation Street in Manchester. The day also included a visit to the Prevent Breast Cancer headquarters in Manchester with Corrie star Sally Dynevor (Danny Lawson/PA)

Kate and William stand and applaud at the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall — In November, the Princess of Wales carried out two consecutive days of public official engagements for the first time since the start of the year as she joined William at the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, and then watched on from a balcony at commemoration services for the war dead on Remembrance Sunday (Chris J Ratcliffe/PA)

The Prince of Wales sits on a sofa near US President-elect Donald Trump — The Prince of Wales met US President-elect Donald Trump in Paris after they attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in December (Aaron Chown/PA)