The Catherine Rose is revealed! RHS honour Princess of Wales' 'work to highlight healing power of nature' as they name stunning pink flower after her
'Catherine's Rose', a stunning floribunda, has subtle coral-pink blooms, which are produced in abundance, and have a rich perfume with hints of Turkish Delight and mango.
Named by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and bred by Harkness Roses, funds from the sale of the flower will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, to help The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country.
This specialist prehabilitation and rehabilitation programme will help to ensure patients who need intensive support live well with, and beyond, cancer.
The RHS also aims to raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Clare Matterson, RHS Director General, said: 'As well as supporting the incredible work of The Royal Marsden, Catherine's Rose will raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal.
'We know how important this message is as every day we see how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness.
'Crucially too, Harkness Roses has done a wonderful job breeding this spectacular rose that is going to bring so much joy to all our nation's gardeners and keep our precious pollinators buzzing too! It's a really special rose.'
Philip Harkness, Managing Director, Harkness Roses, said: 'We're delighted the RHS is naming this stunning floribunda rose for The Princess of Wales, celebrating wellness and nature.
'It is a privilege for Harkness Roses to work with The Royal Marsden where donations of this beautiful rose will help raise funds for this vital charity.'
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'As a specialist cancer centre, The Royal Marsden's mission is to ensure every patient has the care and support they need to achieve the best outcome and patient experience.
'Every rose sold will help The Royal Marsden establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country in prehabilitation and rehabilitation techniques which make such a difference to patient care.
'We are honoured to have Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales as Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre and we are very grateful to The Princess and the Royal Horticultural Society for setting up this initiative and for the benefit it will bring to cancer patients everywhere.'
The roses will be available to purchase from today, Friday 9 May, via roses.co.uk and rhsplants.co.uk.
Catherine's Rose will be available by pre-order only and roses will be delivered in Autumn 2025 as bare root plants. For every plant sold £5 will be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
There will be 15,000 Catherine's Rose available in 2025. The bare root rose will be £29.99 and potted plant £34.99. Further Catherine's Roses will be available in Spring and Autumn 2026.
With flowers that attract pollinators, Catherine's Rose will thrive in a mixed border, as a hedge, in a large container or in a rose bed.
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Woman's feet turn yellow after stress triggers debilitating condition 'But that shouldn't be attempted by anyone other than a podiatrist or professional. 'At home, you can use an emery board to file down the hard skin. 'Make sure the feet are dry - i.e. before you shower - as dead skin is exfoliated more efficiently and there is less risk of fungal or bacterial infection. 'Keep feet moisturised, and if they're occurring with one set of sandals or shoes repetitively, switch them or take them to a shoe repair shop to see what can be done to improve the padding.' 2. CALLUSES LIKE corns, calluses are very common. 'They are layers of hardened skin that cover a wider surface area and are caused by lack of moisture and repetitive widespread friction,' Simone says. Calluses can develop in any shoes, but sling-backs and flip flops are particularly problematic, especially around the heel and forefoot. 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"Not only does this increase the risk of ongoing discomfort, but of blisters, ankle sprains, fungal infections, and bruised nails. "During warmer weather, our feet swell significantly, and without considering materials, foot structure, or skin protection, even a short walk in the wrong shoes or sandals can lead to painful outcomes." There are ways you can keep your feet sweet and protected as the mercury rises though. "I recommend using a foot cream to prevent cracks, keep the skin hydrated, and reduce friction-related marks," says Simone. "It is also essential to apply SPF to your feet when wearing open sandals as the tops of the feet can burn easily in direct sun." Want to make sure you're wearing the right kind of shoes too? Here, Simone reveals the five pairs - and five that could be doing more harm than good. THE BEST SUMMER SHOES ASICS Gel-1130. Simone says: 'These classic ASICS running trainers offer excellent shock absorption and cushioning. The Gel-1130 is lightweight and breathable with a solid heel counter, making it ideal for long walks, daily wear, and warm conditions.' Ecco Yucatan Sport Sandals. Simone says: 'Ecco Yucatan Sport Sandals are versatile and come with adjustable straps which help accommodate the arch. They're perfect for city walking, holidays, or light trekking as they balance comfort with stability and breathability.' Vivobarefoot Tracker Sandal. Simone says: 'Vivobarefoot Tracker Sandals are designed to mimic natural foot movement. These are lightweight, foot-shaped, and highly breathable. Despite their minimal design, they offer excellent stability and are incredibly comfy.' Birkenstock Arizona Sandals (cork sole). Simone says: 'Birkenstock Arizona sandals possess a cork-latex footbed which offers reliable arch accommodation and gradually moulds to your individual foot shape over the time you wear them. However, they should be replaced every two years as worn cork can degrade, harbour bacteria and fungi, and release a waxy residue on the soles of the feet.' FitFlop GEN-FF Adjustable Webbing/Leather Back-Strap Sandals. Simone says: 'GEN-FF adjustable sandals offer midfoot security, adjustable straps, and reduced toe-gripping. They're stylish yet practical and provide structure at the midtarsal joints, which means they support your arch and ankle for all-day wear.' THE SUMMER SHOES TO AVOID Flip-flops. Simone says: 'Flip-flops are a leading cause of foot and ankle sprains. With constant toe-gripping action, they often lead to muscle fatigue, irritation, and skin splitting between the first and second toes, raising the risk of infection. They're simply not foot wear that was designed to be worn for any length of time at all.' Crocs. Simone says: 'I know lots of people swear by them, especially in the summer, but while Crocs are very well ventilated and popular, they're not designed for walking for more than an hour. Grit and debris easily enter through the holes, causing rubbing, blisters, and skin irritation, especially during long wear and the strap is not sturdy enough to hold the rearfoot, meaning that the foot skips backwards and forwards.' Suede loafers or flats worn without socks. Simone says: 'Suede loafers trap heat and moisture. Without socks, feet are more prone to blistering, odour, fungal infections, and friction-related injuries. Sweat build up can also lead to itchy, irritated skin and spore development.' Backless flat sandals. Simone says: 'Backless flat sandals force the toes to grip with every step, causing muscular strain, poor posture, and imbalance, especially as feet naturally swell in hot weather.' Fluffy-lined sliders. Simone says: 'Soft, fleece-lined sliders may be cosy in winter but are unsuitable for summer. The overly soft soles promote excessive pronation, contributing to arch pain and ankle instability. The warm lining traps sweat, creating the perfect environment for bacterial or fungal buildup.' If you want to treat cracked heels at home, try applying a foot cream and nail drops for hydrated skin. 'For an intense treatment, you can wrap the heel in cling film with moisturiser on,' Simone adds. 'Cracked heels will only get worse, not better, so it's best to treat them as soon as the fissures appear. 'Otherwise they can develop into wounds which can lead to ulceration, infection and change the integrity of the skin.' 4. BRITTLE NAILS 'YOU don't need to look much further than an airport departure lounge to know pedicures are popular in the summer,' Simone says. 'But shellac, gels and polishes can leave nails brittle, which means they can snap easily, and regular gel polish application removes keratin from the nail and can suffocate the nail bed, leading to flaking and brittleness.' She recommends using nail drops enriched with active ingredients, such as almond oil, tea tree, spearmint and lime. We tend to over-cut the nails during summer because we don't want people to think we've got long toenails, but that can cause problems Simone Sandra PaulPodiatrist 'Gently file the length of the nail and apply a drop of the product to the cuticle and nail plate,' Simone says. 'Making sure you are not deficient in vitamins and collagen is also important. 'If you've got really thin nails or lines going down them, it could be an indication that you need to start taking vitamin D, which is the only vitamin recommended by the NHS for autumn and winter consumption.' 5. BLISTERS ANYONE who's bought new holiday shoes will likely know the pain that comes from blisters. 'They occur from friction where skin rubs against footwear and are often found on the heel or toes,' Simonme says. 'If the blister has popped and is open, clean plasters and antiseptic cream or spray will help keep the wound clean. Otherwise, blisters are best left alone. 'But if they're blood filled, a quick online appointment with a podiatrist is recommended because it could lead to a wound followed by an ulcer. 'If long walks are on the cards during the summer, applying a cleansing and hydrating foot cream does actually prevent friction as it's almost like an invisible glove on the feet. 'Blisters need to be kept dry in order to heal so avoid tight shoes and synthetic materials while it repairs.' 6. SUNBURN SUNBURN is one of the most common summer afflictions. And yes, this often involves the feet. Most of us are pretty good at applying SPF to our faces and bodies, but we frequently forget about our feet. Simone says: 'I see a lot of sunburned feet in the summer months. 3 'Mostly they're a part of our bodies we keep covered up so they can be prone to going red and burning pretty quickly. 'Depending on how badly the feet are burned, always keep the area dry and clean and apply an antiseptic cream, such as Savlon. 'Feet can blister and peel like anywhere else on the body so if you're out sunbathing, don't do it two days in a row and apply SPF 50 to the soles and tops of feet.' 7. INGROWN NAILS IF you've ever had an ingrown toenail, you'll know how painful they can be. While they can happen at any time of year, ingrown nails become increasingly common during the summer months. 'This is because the feet swell significantly during high temperatures,' Simone says. 'Couple this with warmth and humidity and swollen hot toes often get squashed into shoes they'd normally fit in. 'We tend to over-cut the nails during summer too because we don't want people to think we've got long toenails, but that can cause the nails to grow inwards a little bit more thanks to poor cutting techniques. 'Podiatrists cut the nails in a safe way and also remove the offending spike of nail causing the ingrown infection. 'But if you're treating at home, a salt water foot bath can help if the area is swollen. 'Don't cut the nails too short and apply a plaster if there's pus coming out of the sides. 'Open toed shoes can reduce the pressure and pain of an ingrown nail too, as can gently lifting the edges of the nail daily.'
