Princess Kate has released the second instalment of her Mother Nature series, a quarterly film project inspired by the solace she found in the countryside whilst undergoing cancer treatment.
The summer film was released just one day after the Duchess of Sussex's trailer for series two of "With Love, Meghan" dropped on Netflix.
The trailer showed Meghan Markle, 44, cooking and chatting with celebrity friends such as Chrissy Teigen in a Montecito kitchen, not far from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's real home.
Meanwhile, Kate's new film, Summer, was filmed over recent months in locations including Sheffield, Bradford, North Wales, Anglesey and the south coast of England.
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|Princess Kate narrates new summer film just one day after Meghan's Netflix trailer dropped
While Kate did not appear on screen, she narrated the short film, which was shared on Kensington Palace’s social media channels.
A written message from the Princess read: “Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship. It has never been more important to appreciate the value of one another, and of Mother Nature. Here's to Summer. C”.
The first film in the series, Spring, launched in May to widespread interest. Kensington Palace described the project as “a reminder and reflection of the beauty and complexity of the human experience”, with each edition celebrating a different season.
Officials said the summer episode “remains rooted in nature but also captures meaningful human interactions and embraces the joy of connection.”
WILL WARR
|Princess Kate narrated the film but did not appear on screen
One scene featured ballet students from The Royal Ballet School performing in Richmond Park, all of whom took part in the Princess of Wales’s Christmas carol service last year.
In her voiceover, Kate said: “Summer is a season for abundance. Just as the flowers bloom and the fruits ripen, we too are reminded of our own potential for growth. It is the time to ignite our inner fire and explore our own creativity, passions, and dreams.
“As we bask in the sunlit hours, friends and families come together, playing, connecting, being present. Embracing the joy to be found in even the most fleeting of moments and shared experiences.
“Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship. So open your hearts; sing, dance, play. The days are still long, so simply love, and be loved.”
PA | Kate is very passionate about gardening and nature
The Mother Nature series was first introduced during Mental Health Awareness Week in May. At the time, Kate personally launched Spring with a video explaining how she embraced “the healing power of nature” during her cancer journey.
She said: “Over the past year, nature has been my sanctuary. 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.
“It is through nature that we can fully understand the true interconnectedness of all things, the importance of balance and the importance of renewal and resilience. Connecting to nature helps us to experience a deeper sense of ourselves, the world around us, and each other.”
She added: “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.
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|Meghan Markle's trailer for series two of With Love, Meghan dropped on Netflix on Tuesday
“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. Spring is here, so let's make the most of it together.”
The Princess has said she hopes the series will act as an antidote to the “increasingly complex and digital world”.
Signing off the launch message with “C”, Kate wrote: “This year's Mental Health Awareness Week, we are celebrating humanity's longstanding connection to nature, and its capacity to inspire us and help us to heal and grow in mind, body and spirit.
“As we confront the challenges of an increasingly complex and digital world, the importance of the connection between humanity and nature takes on even more significance. The Mother Nature series is a reminder and reflection of the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
"It is a tribute to the lessons we can learn from nature, helping us to foster our own growth, strengthen our bonds with the world around us and each other.”