The world watched in tears earlier this month as Prince William and Princess Catherine, along with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, stood together to poignantly celebrate people and organizations that support others through challenging and frequently heartbreaking times, putting behind them what has been called “a year from hell.”

Taking center stage during her Royal Carols performance: A radiant Catherine, 42, who has courageously fought her own health battle this year after disclosing her diagnosis of an undisclosed type of cancer in March, hosted her Christmas service at Westminster Abbey.

According to insiders, Prince William, who recently called this year the “hardest” of his life, is now determined to start a new chapter for Catherine and their family by sweeping her off her feet for a second romantic “honeymoon” as the Royal Family comes together closer than ever.

“The past year has brought them closer than ever,” a source claims for the Closer Magazine. Their marriage is built on indestructible foundations, and this year’s hardships have made spending time together crucial.

‘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.’

For the majority of the year, Catherine naturally kept the specifics of her chemotherapy regimen a secret and retreated to concentrate on her health and young family. However, in September, she and William released a video announcing the conclusion of Catherine’s treatment, which inspired cancer patients and their families.

Catherine described her journey to “healing and full recovery” as “long,” despite the message’s optimism and celebration. According to the source, Prince William, 42, is well aware of how much Catherine has struggled this year, both physically and emotionally.

“Kate and Wills have had a difficult year and a full emotional roller coaster,” they continue. “He has told friends that everything has happened to them, but he is proud of them for surviving the ordeal.’

“However, he has seen firsthand how Kate has had to function on autopilot this year in order to support herself and put on a normal show for the kids; therefore, they both need a soul-check.”

The insider also reveals how Africa might be the ideal location for William and Catherine to relax as a couple, even though the entire family has moved back to Anmer Hall at the moment, their Norfolk home near a remote beach.

They both have a special place in their hearts for the breathtaking Kenyan mountains because, in 2010, William proposed to Catherine in a wildlife hut there, and they honeymooned in the Seychelles after getting married at Westminster Abbey.

William flew Catherine high up the slopes of Mount Kenya to pop the question on the shores of one of the breathtaking glacial lakes while they were staying at the 55,000-acre Lewa Private Estate.

His mother, Princess Diana, also loved the country, and it has a connection to his late grandmother, the Queen, as it was there that she first learned of her 1952 accession to the throne.

The source goes on to say, “They want to go somewhere secluded – Wills has hired a trusted family friend to assist with this very special private getaway to a place of extreme importance – Africa and the wildlife reserves are a love for both of them.” It would be very special to have their wedding blessed there after 14 years.”

In the end, though, the source claims that the couple is most grateful that they can still rely on one another following their own annus horribilis.

Following the release of the Sussexes’ new Netflix documentary last week, the rift between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry and the Royal Family only seems to be growing. At the same time, King Charles is still undergoing treatment for cancer, which he was diagnosed with earlier this year.

However, the source claims that William and Catherine are instead concentrating on all they have to be grateful for, even though more royal drama is expected to follow due to reports that Princess Eugenie has been “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.

According to the insider, “This year has been extremely difficult, but they have both taken it in stride.” “They are now more grateful than ever for their love and their kids after overcoming the challenges to come out stronger.”