Catherine, Princess of Wales, shared insights on the challenging period following her chemotherapy during her first public engagement since her unexpected withdrawal from Royal Ascot two weeks ago. On Wednesday, she visited a wellbeing garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex, England, where she spoke to patients about her experience. “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatment’s done – then it’s like ‘I can crack on, get back to normal.’ But actually the phase afterwards is really difficult,” she noted. “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.”
The visit was organized to highlight the “incredible healing power of nature,” as stated by Kensington Palace. During her time at the garden, the Princess planted a rose to commemorate the occasion. She also engaged with patients and staff at the hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing Centre to learn more about how gardens in healthcare settings contribute to positive health outcomes and facilitate recovery.
At 43, Kate has emphasized the role of nature in her healing process over the past year. “Over the past year, nature has been my sanctuary,” she remarked in a video shared on X for Mental Health Awareness Week in May.
Last March, Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis and began chemotherapy, causing her to reduce her public appearances significantly. Although she made a few rare appearances during the summer, she announced in September that she had completed her treatment and was “doing what I can to stay cancer free.” With an increase in public engagements this year, the beloved royal is navigating a return to her duties while maintaining balance in her life post-treatment.
Before her last-minute withdrawal from Ascot, Kate had attended several significant royal events, including the Trooping the Colour parade in London and the Order of the Garter service in Windsor. She resumed in-person engagements last week by hosting Melinda French Gates at Windsor Castle, where discussions centered on their philanthropic efforts, as reported by Britain’s PA Media news agency.
On the same day as her hospital visit, Colchester Hospital received a donation of 50 specially-bred “Catherine’s Rose” plants, named in her honor by the Royal Horticultural Society. Kate participated in planting these roses, which, when sold commercially, will generate proceeds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Since her diagnosis, Kate has become closely associated with this charity and was named a joint patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, located in Chelsea, London, where she received treatment. Proceeds from the sale of the roses will support a program aimed at helping cancer patients thrive during and after their treatment.
