Kate Middleton breaks cover for hospital visit after pulling out of Royal Ascot
Kate Middleton has made her first public appearance since she pulled out of Royal Ascot and visited a hospital. During her visit, the Princess of Wales opened up about the expectations surrounding finishing cancer treatment.
The 43 year old returned to work and stopped by Colchester Hospital on Wednesday where she visited the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Wellbeing Garden
Princess Kate's visit celebrates the healing power of nature and she hopes to raise the important role that spending time in nature plays in bringing joy and supporting mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, according to The Mirror.
This comes just two weeks on from her pulling out of attending the Royal Ascot for the second successive year as she seeks the right balance following her treatment for cancer. Since announcing back in January that she is in remission, Kate has been gradually returning to public duties.
And during her visit to the hospital, Kate opened up on her own experience of cancer treatment and expectations surrounding finishing treatment.
Speaking with users, volunteers and staff at hospital's Cancer Wellbeing Centre, Kate said: "There is this whole phase when you finish your treatment that you, yourself, everybody expects you, right you've finished your time, go, you're better, and that's not the case at all."
It comes as Kate met with with award-winning garden designer Adam Frost, who led the design of the garden, and hear about how he worked with NHS staff through the design and consultation process to ensure the garden addresses the needs of staff and patients.
The garden, which opened in July 2024, is a relaxing and restorative space for NHS staff, patients and visitors and is described a vital hub for the community, offering activities for those working in or visiting the hospital.
It 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. The Wellbeing Garden at Colchester, and the impact it has on patients and NHS workers, forms part of the research for the RHS' Blueprint for Wellbeing Gardens, which will launch next year.
Kate's visit also coincides with the donation of 50 'Catherine Roses' to the garden, which she helped to plant. The rose, named after the princess, is being sold by the RHS with funds from sale of them going to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Kate was treated at the Royal Marsden following her cancer diagnosis last year.
In addition, 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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