This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
The Princess of Wales visited Colchester on Wednesday. (Image: PA)
The Princess of Wales looked radiant as she stepped out at the RHS’s Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex on Wednesday. The Princess looked chic in a beige designer blazer by Blazé Milano, as she toured the garden, which opened in July 2024, and learned all about how it is a relaxing and restorative space for NHS staff, patients and visitors.
As a passionate advocate for the benefits nature and being outdoors have for everyone, Kate made the visit today to raise awareness of the important role that spending time in nature plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. This is the latest appearance the Princess has made, where she has drawn attention to just what a vital role the natural world has on everyone.
While there, the Princess described her cancer journey as a “rollercoaster” and has spoken about the pressure she has felt to put on a brave face as she has come to terms with her “new normal”.
READ MORE: ‘Real reason’ Meghan Markle’s products sell out as latest wine out of stock
The Princess of Wales visited the wellbeing garden (Image: PA) Stay up-to-date with the latest Royal news Join us on WhatsApp
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Recreate Kate’s look:
Speaking to a group inside the centre about her recovery, Kate, who revealed her cancer was in remission back in January, said: “There is a whole phase when you finish your treatment, everybody expects you to be better – go! But that’s not the case at all.”
She explained: “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.
“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: “You have to find your new normal and that takes time.”
The RHS unveiled Catherine’s Rose earlier this year. (Image: PA)
The Princess’ visit coincided with the donation of 50 ‘Catherine’s Rose’ plants, named for the Princess by the RHS, to Colchester Hospital. Funds from sales went to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Incredibly, 500 ‘Catherine’s Rose’ plants will also 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 RHS’s Wellbeing Garden was created in partnership with the RHS, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and NHS Charities Together, the latter of which is jointly patronised by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
While at the hospital, the Princess met award-winning garden designer Adam Frost, who led the design of the garden, and learn about how he collaborated with NHS staff during the design process to ensure it focused on the needs of staff and patients.
The Princess planted some ‘Catherine’s Rose’ plants, before touring Colchester Hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing Centre to understand how gardens in healthcare settings play a crucial role in promoting good health outcomes, preventing poor health and supporting increased recovery time.
The Princess visited Colchester Hospital (Image: Toby Shepheard / Kensington Palace)
Nature has long been a subject dear to the Princess’ heart. Back in May, she shared a video of a secret trip to the Lake District with the Scouts and spoke warmly about how nature helps her find a “sense of peace and reconnection”.
A few days later, the Princess launched a new video series in which she revealed how she embraced “the healing power of nature” during her cancer treatment. In the first of a series of films celebrating the seasons, she urged society to “reconnect to nature and celebrate a new dawn within our hearts.”
Narrating the three-minute video, Kate spoke of the role the natural world played during her cancer journey last year, with the future Queen understood to have walked and swum outdoors during her six months of chemotherapy.
The Princess has often spoken about the impact nature has on everyone (Image: Kensington Palace)
“Over the past year, nature has been my sanctuary,” she said. “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.”
Kate continued: “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.”