The Princess of Wales has opened up about her cancer recovery as she made a poignant hospital visit today – marking her first public appearance since her Royal Ascot absence last month.
Kate, 43, looked stunning in a smart Blazé Milano beige blazer with pinstripes, retailing at around £1,000, and matching shirt as she visited the RHS’s Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital today.
The royal added tailored brown trousers and a black belt – while giving a more casual effect with rolled up sleeves and white trainers – and adding her engagement ring.
Her outing today is one close to her heart following her cancer journey and emphasises the important role nature plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
During her visit, Kate visited the hospital’s cancer wellbeing centre, where she met with patients, volunteers and staff and discussed the important role gardens play in recovery.
There, she gave a rare insight into her own cancer recovery – of which she said elements were ‘really difficult’.
Describing ‘finding a new normal’ as a ‘rollercoaster’, the Princess revealed ‘you’re not able to function normally at home as you once used to’ and said it’s ‘really valuable’ to have such a supportive space around.
‘You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatments done, then it’s like “I can crack on, get back to normal’ but actually the phase afterwards is really, really difficult”,’ Kate said.
She continued: ‘You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.
‘And actually someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment I think is really valuable.
‘But it’s life-changing for anyone, through first diagnosis or post treatment, both for the patient but also for the families as well.
‘And actually it sometimes goes unrecognised, you don’t necessarily, particularly when it’s the first time, appreciate how much impact it is going to have.
‘You have to find your new normal and that takes time… and it’s a rollercoaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times.
‘And to have a place like this, to have the support network, through creativity and singing or gardening whatever it might be is so valuable and it’s great this community has it.’
Her visit coincides with the donation of 50 ‘Catherine’s Rose’ plants, named for The Princess by the RHS with funds from sales going to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, to Colchester Hospital.
Kate even had the opportunity to plant the ‘Catherine Rose’ herself, alongside staff who volunteer in the garden.
The coral-pink floribunda has a rich perfume with hints of Turkish Delight and mango, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) said in its announcement in May.
Now, 500 ‘Catherine’s Rose’ plants will be donated to wellbeing and community gardens across the UK this summer, including Maggie’s gardens for people affected by cancer, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Horatio’s Gardens for those living with spinal injuries.
The Princess also met with award-winning garden designer Adam Frost, who led the design of the garden.
Adam told the mother-of-three how he worked with NHS staff through the design and consultation process to ensure it address the needs of staff and patients.
The Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, which opened in July 2024, is a relaxing and restorative space for NHS staff, patients and visitors.
The garden is a vital hub for the community, offering activities for those working in or visiting the hospital and was created in partnership with the RHS, Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together, the latter of which is a joint patronage of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Wellbeing Garden at Colchester, and the transformative impact it has on patients and NHS workers, forms part of the research for the RHS’ Blueprint for Wellbeing Gardens, which will launch in Spring next year.
Kate herself has been making a slow and measured return to duties after revealing she is in remission from cancer.
This has included a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital back in January, where she underwent her treatment, as well as important events in the royal calendar, such as Trooping The Colour and the Order Of The Garter ceremony.
Her visit today is the first time she’s been seen in public since pulling out of Royal Ascot unexpectedly last month.
Kate had been expected to attend the Berkshire racing festival with her husband Prince William – and was even announced in the official carriage procession – before Kensington Palace confirmed she would not be attending after all.
MailOnline understood at the time that the Princess was ‘disappointed’ not to be in attendance ‘but she has to find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements’.
Racegoers had been hoping to see the Princess after the Prince of Wales was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during the second day of the meet.
Ascot officials had confirmed at 12pm that the Princess was due to be in the second carriage in the royal procession with William, in a published carriage list.
But less than half an hour later, Kensington Palace confirmed just before 12.30pm that Kate would not be attending – and a revised carriage list was published by Ascot.
Royal aides insisted the original list had issued in ‘error’, according to the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English.
‘On some levels I actually think this is a good reminder that she was really seriously ill last year and underwent a significant period of chemo. As anyone who has been through that experience will tell you, you can feel very unwell for a long time afterwards. It can take years [to recover],’ one source said.
‘She wants to find the right balance and work with a greater degree of flexibility than before.
‘This is a woman who plays a very important role in the monarchy [as Princess of Wales and future Queen], but in order for her to do it, both now and in the future, she needs to get this right,’ they said.
The Princess returned to work last Wednesday as she privately received Melinda Gates – the former wife of Microsoft Founder Bill – at Windsor Castle, marking her return to official duties.
But today marks her first interacting with the public since her surprise absence at the racing festival.
As her visit today emphasises, Kate has shared how she turned to nature in the midst of her cancer battle for solace and support.
In May, she reaffirmed her commitment to nature as she launched a new video revealing how she embraced the ‘healing power of nature’ during her cancer treatment.
The series began with ‘Spring’, a three-minute film narrated by Catherine and including footage of her and Prince William on the Isle of Mull earlier this month.
The other three short films will be released across the course of the year, with Summer, Autumn and Winter editions in due course.
Previously referring to how she sought comfort and strength from being outdoors with her family during her cancer battle last year, Kate said: ‘Over the past year, nature has been my sanctuary.
‘The natural world’s capacity to inspire us, to nurture us and help us heal and grow is boundless and has been understood for generations.
‘It is through nature, that we can fully understand the true interconnectedness of all things, the importance of balance and the importance of renewal and resilience. Connecting to nature helps us to experience a deeper sense of ourselves, the world around us, and each other.’
She added: ‘Spring is a season of rebirth, of hope and new beginnings. From the dark days of winter, the outside world quietly awakens with new life, and there comes a sense of optimism, anticipation, and positive, hopeful change.
‘Just as nature revives and renews so too can we. Let us reconnect to nature and celebrate a new dawn within our hearts.
‘It is often from the smallest of seeds that the greatest change can happen, and in this ever-growing complex world, we need to hold on to what connects us all.
‘Spring is here, so let’s make the most of it together.’
The Princess of Wales had been receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February last year with the King beginning his cancer care earlier that month following his diagnosis after treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Announcing in September her treatment had ended, Kate described in an emotional video message how the previous nine months had been ‘incredibly tough for us as a family’ and ‘doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus’.
William later said in a separate interview how 2024 had been ‘brutal’.
In January, following her visit to Royal Marsden, the princess said it was ‘a relief’ to be in remission and that she will ‘remain focused’ on recovery.
Signing her note ‘C’, she said: ‘There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.’
