EXCLUSIVE: The Princess of Wales has confirmed her attendance at the Royal Family’s festive feast this Christmas and will appear only if she feels “fit and well” on the day.

Princess Kate is planning to join the Royal Family at Sandringham this Christmas (Image: Getty)

Princess Kate is set for a return to public life at the Firm’s Christmas gathering at Sandringham this yearafter appearing there last year just before her emotional cancer announcement, Express.co.uk has learned.

According to a well-placed source, the Princess of Wales, 42, has confirmed her attendance at the Royal Family’s festive feast and will appear only if she feels “fit and well” on the day.

The source adds that the princess is still taking tentative steps in her return to public life following her recovery from cancer.

“Kate is on the guest list for this year’s Christmas gathering,” said the source. “She’s keen to join her children and family to celebrate the holidays, but there’s no pressure for her to attend.

“Obviously everyone is looking forward to having her there, but if she doesn’t feel up to it on the day, the family will understand.”

Kate made an appearance at last year’s Sandringham Christmas gathering which was the last public appearance the princess made before the public found out about her abdominal surgery, and later her cancer diagnosis.

However, the public were delighted last month when the Princess of Wales shared the happy news that she had successfully completed her chemotherapy.

Princess Kate has undertaken a small number of public engagements since then and has slowly been making her way back into public life.

The source adds that at this year’s Christmas gathering, Prince William and Princess Kate will be staying at nearby Anmer Hall with their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 – but will join the rest of the family at Sandringham for dinner.

Buckingham Palace aides sent out feelers to the family last week for this year’s Royal Family Christmas dinner which will be held in the ballroom at Sandringham House due to the sheer number expected.

“There will be a large number of people present at this year’s dinner,” said a source. “It was trialled in the ballroom for the first time last year and proved a big success so this year will be held in a similar fashion.

“There will be a buffet style roast served where members of the family can help themselves.

“It will include a traditional roast dinner spread with all the trimmings.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not been invited this year.

Although the Firm’s gathering will be minus the Sussexes, it will still be a large family affair as Queen Camilla has invited her children and grandchildren and the rest of the family are expected.

Princess Kate joined the Royal Family at Sandringham last Christmas (Image: Getty)

Camilla, 77, has two children and five grandchildren of her own. Her son Tom Parker Bowles has one daughter Lola, 17, and a son, Freddy, 14, while her daughter Laura Lopes has a daughter Eliza, 16, and twins Gus and Louis, 14.

Princess Beatrice is also set to appear this year and show off her baby bump – along with debuting her daughter Sienna.

According to a source, Bea, 36, will join her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, their three-year-old daughter Sienna and Bea’s eight-year-old stepson Wolfie for the celebrations.

Princess Anne and her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, are expected along with their children.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their two children – Lady Louise Windsor and James Wessex – are also on the guest list.

The Duke and Duchess of York, along with Princess Eugenie and her children have also been invited.

In total, around 100 guests are expected at Sandringham this Christmas which will include members of the Royal Family, their children and grandchildren, members of the extended family, and Queen Camilla’s family.

A smaller number of guests are expected to join in the fun on Christmas Eve where the tighter family will exchange joke gifts during an Afternoon Tea.

On Christmas morning, the Royal Family are expected to congregate for breakfast before walking to St Mary Magdalene Church for the traditional Christmas service.

Kensington Palace has been approached for comment.