The Princess of Wales spoke about the "difficult phase" post-cancer treatment as she appeared publicly for the first time since missing Royal Ascot last month.
Kate, 43, made a previously unannounced visit to the RHS's Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, to celebrate the incredible healing power of nature and raise awareness of the important role that spending time in nature plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
She also spoke with patients and staff at Colchester Hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing Centre, where she opened up about her experiences after cancer treatment.
"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, is really you know difficult," Kate said. "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."
She added: "But it's life changing for anyone, through first diagnosis or post treatment and things like that, it is life changing experience, 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 roller coaster it's not one smooth plain, which you expect it to be. But the reality is it's not, 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, it would be great if lots of communities had this kind of support."
The Princess pulled out of attending the races with her husband, the Prince of Wales, and the King and Queen on 18 June as she continues to find the right balance following her battle with cancer.
Kate has not had any public engagements since the Garter Day procession in Windsor on 16 June, but she has continued to work behind-the-scenes, including a joint meeting with William as they received Melinda French Gates at Windsor Castle last week.
The royal's 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.
During her engagement, Kate was invited to plant some of the roses in the wellbeing garden, alongside staff who volunteer in the garden.
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© Getty ImagesThe garden's benefits
Kate spoke with patients and staff to understand how gardens in healthcare settings play a crucial role in promoting good health outcomes, preventing poor health and supporting increased recovery time.
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© Getty ImagesVital hub
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.
The garden was created in partnership with the RHS, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together, the latter of which is a joint patronage of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
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© Getty ImagesMeeting Adam Frost
Kate met with award-winning garden designer Adam Frost, who led the design of the garden, and heard about how he worked with NHS staff through the design and consultation process to ensure the garden addresses the needs of staff and patients.
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© Getty ImagesGreen-fingered Kate
Foregoing gardening gloves which were offered to her, she knelt down to plant the roses using her bare hands and a trowel to pat down the soil.
She told Adam Frost she was feeling "good" and was pleased to be able to work outside.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoPlanting the roses
The flower has beautiful coral-pink blooms with a "rich perfume with hints of Turkish Delight and mango".
A total of 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.
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© Getty ImagesImpromptu walkabout
In the pouring rain, as the engagement overran by about half an hour, she told hospital staff and patients who had waited outside to see her: "I'm just washing my hands - I'll be back".
She then undertook a walkabout, posing for selfies and group photographs in between asking people about their day.
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© Getty ImagesPicture time
The Princess happily posed for a snap with hospital staff at the end of her engagement.
Timeline of Princess Kate's health updates
© Getty25 December 2023 – Kate is last seen publicly on Christmas Day
9 January 2024 – Kate celebrates her 42nd birthday, with the King and Queen sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the coronation to mark the day.
11 January 2024 – William returns to royal duties, meeting rugby heroes Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
17 January 2024 – Kensington Palace announces in a statement that Kate has undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic and that William has temporarily stepped back from royal duties to care for Kate and their children.
18 January 2024 – William visits Kate at the London Clinic.
26 January 2024 – King Charles visits Kate in hospital before undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
29 January 2024 – Kate is discharged from hospital and returns home to Windsor to continue her recovery. King Charles also leaves the London Clinic on the same day after his treatment.
7 February 2024 – William resumes royal duties attending London's Air Ambulance Charity gala with Tom Cruise.
10 February 2024 – William and Kate spend February half-term with George, Charlotte and Louis at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. Kate's siblings are also pictured on holiday during the school holidays, with James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet flying to the Caribbean with baby Inigo, and Pippa Matthews and her family holidaying on the island of St Barts.
27 February 2024 – Kate said to be "doing well" as William pulls out of King Constantine memorial due to a "personal matter".
29 February 2024 – Kensington Palace addresses social media speculation, reiterating: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter."
10 March 2024 - A photograph of Kate with their three children at home in Windsor is released to mark Mother's Day and to thank the public for their "continued support".
11 March 2024 - Kate publicly apologises for the "confusion" around the photograph as she admitted she "occasionally experiments with editing," after news agencies pulled the image amid claims it had been digitally altered. The Princess is then seen in a car with William as she's driven to a private appointment in London.
19 March 2024 - Footage of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop is shared by The Sun and TMZ in the first video sighting of the Princess since surgery.
22 March 2024 - Princess Kate confirms that she has been diagnosed with cancer in a moving video message and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
18 April 2024 - Prince William returns to royal duties after spending Easter holidays privately as a family.
10 May 2024 - Prince William says Kate is "doing well" as he visits the Isles of Scilly.
21 May 2024 - Princess Kate is "excited" as Kensington Palace shares update on her early years work with the release of her Business Taskforce's prioritising childhood report.
8 June 2024 - Princess Kate writes letter to Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take part in the salute at the Colonel's Review.
14 June 2024 - In a personal statement, Kate shares she is making "good progress" and that her "treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months".
15 June 2024 - Kate makes her first major public appearance since diagnosis at Trooping the Colour.
14 July 2024 - Kate watches the Men's final at Wimbledon with Princess Charlotte and Pippa Matthews.
11 August 2024 - William and Kate congratulate Team GB athletes in a video message after the Paris 2024 Olympics.
9 September 2024 - Kate confirms she's completed chemotherapy in moving video message.
10 October 2024 - Kate joins William on visit to bereaved families in Southport.
9/10 November 2024 - Princess attends Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Day service at Cenotaph.
3 December 2024 - Kate greets Emir of Qatar alongside William during state visit.
6 December 2024 - The Princess of Wales hosts her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
25 December 2024 - William and Kate attend the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham with the royals.
14 January 2025 - The Princess confirms she's in remission after visiting The Royal Marsden hospital in London - where she was treated.
