Kate Middleton made a rare public appearance on December 3, stepping out for her first official state visit since announcing her cancer diagnosis.

The Princess of Wales joined her husband Prince William and her father-in-law King Charles to welcome the Emir of Qatar, looking chic in a burgundy coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (reportedly paired with some of the late Queen Elizabeth’s jewelry). Oh, and she arrived alongside Prince William in a very casual and understated golden carriage.

According to the Daily Mail, Kate was scheduled to take part in the Horse Guards Parade (an official welcome ceremony), the carriage procession, a private lunch, and a tour of “priceless Qatari artifacts from the Royal Collection.”

Kate is also expected to attend her “Together at Christmas” carol service in just a few days on December 6 and dropped a letter ahead of the event speaking about “love, kindness and forgiveness.”

“Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all,” she said in the public letter, adding, “It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness — so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.”

She concluded her message with, “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times.”

Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm, She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.