Kate opens up about ‘difficult phase after treatment' as she meets with hospital patients after dropping out of Ascot
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PRINCESS Kate has opened up about the "difficult" phase after treatment ends on a visit to hospital patients and staff.
The visit marks her first public appearance since dropping out of Ascot at the list minute as she 'had to find the right balance' on returning to full time duty.
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Princess Kate spoke to NHS staff about a 'difficult' phase after treatment
Credit: PA
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The royal visited the RHS's Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex today
Credit: Reuters
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Kate announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024
Credit: AP
The Princess visited RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, in Essex, today.
She met with NHS workers and planted some of her 'Catherine's Rose' plants in the recovery garden.
Kate spoke about life after cancer treatment, and told staff: "You know I think there's a lot of brave faced stoicism through treatment, but then treatment's done.
"I think the phase afterwards is really difficult, I mean, you know, you're not necessarily in a clinical team any longer, but you're not able to function normally at home as you once used to.
"And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that phase that comes after treatment, I think it's really valuable to have a space like this here for patients."
She added: 'But it's life changing for anyone, through first diagnosis or post treatment and things like that, it is life changing experience both for the patient but also for the families as well.
"And actually it sometimes goes unrecognised, you don't necessarily, particularly when it's the first time, appreciate how much impact it is going to have.
"You have to find your new normal and that takes time…and it's a roller coaster it's not one smooth plain, which you expect it to be.
"But the reality is it's not, you go through hard times and to have a place like this to have the support network, through creativity and singing or gardening whatever it might be is so valuable and it's great this community has it, it would be great if lots of communities had this kind of support."
Kate announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 after abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in January that year.
She finished chemotherapy in September and announced she was in remission in January of this year.
The royal's visit today coincided with donations of 50 'Catherine's Rose' plants named in honour of Kate.
Funds from sales will go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
And, the roses will be donated to gardens across the country including cancer hospitals.
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The Princess also met with garden designer Adam Frost this afternoon.
Credit: Toby Shepheard / Kensington Palace
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Kate spoke about the difficulty of returning home after treatment
Credit: Toby Shepheard / Kensington Palace
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500 'Catherine's Rose' plants will be donated to wellbeing and community gardens across the UK this summer
Credit: Toby Shepheard / Kensington Palace
Kate stepped out in a Blazé Milano beige blazer with pinstripes, which retails at around £1,000.
The sophisticated mum-of-three also donned smart brown trousers and a black belt with casual white trainers.
It comes as 500 'Catherine's Rose' plants will be donated to wellbeing and community gardens across the UK this summer.
Others include 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 Princess also met with garden designer Adam Frost this afternoon.
The Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital opened in July 2024, and is designed to create a relaxing space for NHS staff, patients and visitors.
It was created in partnership with the RHS, Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together, of which the Prince and Princess of Wales share joint patronage.
This comes after the Kate pulled out of a Royal Ascot appearance last month.
She was understood to be "disappointed' not to go but 'had to find the right balance' on returning to full time duty.
The mother-of-three had sadly dropped out to continue her recovery.
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This is the first time the Princess has been seen after pulling out of Royal Ascot last month
Credit: PA
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Kate beamed as she spoke to staff
Credit: PA
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The Royal planted a rose during a visit to the recovery garden
Credit: PA
Prince William then arrived at day two of the event in a carriage looking deep in thought.
Despite the absence of his wife, William put on a brave face and was seen smiling and chatting with other royals as the day went on.
The palace insisted there has always been flexibility around Kate's engagements more than a year after her cancer announcement.
She had already attended Trooping the Colour and Order of the Garter in days prior to Royal Ascot plus a visit to V&A East Storehouse
Kate missed last year's event as she stepped back from her royal duties before announcing her cancer diagnosis.
Despite her absence at Ascot, the Princess did subsequently write a personal message to mark the end of Children's Hospice Week.
The mum-of-three is Royal Patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices (EACH), and in January this year became the Royal Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales.
In a letter shared in social media she wrote: "No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life.
"Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heart-broken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated.
"Being able to access the support of one of the UK's 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone.
"As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children's hospices.
"Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond.
"This Children's Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times."
Kate's appearance today comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to carry out a number of engagements as Royal Week continues in Scotland.
The royals will kick off engagements today in Kirkcaldy, Fife, including marking the centenary of the town's war memorial, and unveiling a commemoration cairn.
Queen Camilla will then travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where she will host a reception for the Queen's Nursing Institute of Scotland.
The charity provides professional development opportunities for Scotland's community nurses and midwives.
It was founded in 1899 with a donation from Queen Victoria to organise the training of district nurses.
It also supports them in working collaboratively with those they care for to tackle health inequalities.
The King traditionally spends a week based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse each year in what is known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week in Scotland.
Yesterday, the King started his official visit with the traditional Ceremony of the Keys in the palace gardens.
He then presided over an investiture ceremony for honours recipients.
Later in the day the King and Queen hosted guests at a garden party at the palace, alongside the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
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