Princess Kate issues new statement amid her return to royal duties

Princess Kate opens up about difficulties with cancer recovery at Colchester Hospital.

Royal Pool
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 02/07/2025

- 22:33

The Royal Horticultural Society named a rose in honour of the Princess of Wales

Princess Kate has issued a new statement following her return to royal duties today.

The Princess of Wales's previous public appearance came on June 16 at the Order of the Garter ceremony.


Two days after Kate suddenly withdraw from a scheduled appearance at Royal Ascot.

However, two weeks after pulling out of joining Prince William in the Royal Procession at Ascot, Kate returned to public duties in Colchester.

Kate Middleton

Princess Kate has issued a statement following her return to royal duties today.

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The Princess of Wales wrote on social media following the appearance: "Honoured to mark the planting of Catherine’s Rose at the RHS Wellbeing Garden in Colchester. A gesture rooted in hope and care.

"Grateful to spend time with NHS staff and volunteers tending this space, and to see the rose incorporated into gardens supporting recovery and reflection across the UK."

Earlier this year, the Royal Horticultural Society named a new rose in honour of the Princess of Wales.

"Catherine's Rose" celebrates the healing power of nature and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of spending time outdoors.

Kate Middleton

"Catherine's Rose" celebrates the healing power of nature and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of spending time outdoors.

The Royal Horticultural Society

The stunning floribunda, bred by Harkness Roses, features subtle coral-pink blooms and a rich perfume.

It was released as part of an initiative to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

The rose features clusters of up to 15 blooms, each measuring between 8 and 12 cm.

The plant itself is described as robust and bushy, growing to approximately 1.2m tall by 90cm wide in average conditions.

Kate Middleton

Kate characterised her cancer journey as a "very scary, very daunting experience" that extends well beyond the end of medical treatment.

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During a visit to Colchester Hospital's cancer wellbeing centre today, Kate spoke candidly about the immense pressure patients face to appear recovered once treatment concludes, telling fellow patients that "everybody expects you to be better - but that's not the case at all".

The 43-year-old princess, who is gradually returning to public duties whilst in remission, described how patients often feel compelled to "crack on, get back to normal" after completing treatment.

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.

Kate Middleton

Kate shared these insights whilst meeting cancer patients and volunteers at the wellbeing centre,

Getty

Kate characterised her cancer journey as a "very scary, very daunting experience" that extends well beyond the end of medical treatment.

She shared these insights whilst meeting cancer patients and volunteers at the wellbeing centre, where she participated in planting roses in a therapeutic garden designed to offer visitors tranquillity.

The princess emphasised the particular challenges of the post-treatment phase, noting: "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."