Princess of Wales Finds Healing in Hospital Garden After Cancer Journey

Colchester, England – The Princess of Wales returned to public duties on July 2, 2025, with a visit to Colchester Hospital, where she shared her reflections on her recent cancer journey.

During her visit to a specially designed well-being garden, Princess Kate, 43, emphasized the difficulties patients face after treatment concludes. She remarked, “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, really difficult.”

Princess Kate highlighted the importance of support during the transition, stating, “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… I think is really valuable.” She described the journey of finding a new normal as “life-changing” for patients and their families.

In March 2024, the princess publicly announced her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment, taking a year away from public engagements. Upon revealing her remission in January 2025, she slowly resumed her royal responsibilities. However, she opted not to attend a horse racing event on June 18, expressing her desire to find the right balance in returning to public life.

On June 25, she and Prince William were seen together at Windsor Castle, near their home at Adelaide Cottage, where they live with their three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. According to former spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson, “She’s being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her and easing back into public life.”

During her hospital visit, Princess Kate assisted in planting a new variety of pink roses named in her honor by the Royal Horticultural Society. These flowers, with proceeds benefiting the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, are part of a broader initiative to enhance well-being gardens across the United Kingdom, including those supporting cancer patients and individuals with spinal injuries.

Kate spent time with Adam Frost, an award-winning garden designer who helped create the garden, emphasizing the restorative power of nature. Friends noted that spending time outdoors was a crucial aspect of her recovery.

Dwayne Fields, a chief scout and friend of the princess, noted, “During my recovery, I spent a lot of time outdoors because that’s where I felt at peace. When people speak about themselves, it feels like they are giving you something… That’s her superpower.”

The princess has long advocated for nature’s role in mental and physical health, previously sharing her enthusiasm for “forest bathing,” a practice promoting mindfulness in natural settings. Looking ahead, Princess Kate is set to host French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron during their upcoming visit to the U.K.