Princess Catherine says cancer treatment 'like a roller-coaster'
Georgie Hewson
, ABC
Princess Catherine smiles during a visit to see the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex, southeast England on 2 July.
Photo:
Stefan Rousseau / POOL / AFP
The Princess of Wales has revealed more details about her cancer treatment, describing it as a "roller-coaster" when speaking to patients at a hospital in Eastern England.
The 43-year-old announced in March last year she was undergoing treatment after tests following major abdominal surgery revealed she had a form of cancer.
Princess Catherine never revealed what type of cancer she had but
completed the course of treatment
in September.
Earlier this year, she revealed she was in remission.
"You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, [and then] treatment's done. Then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal,' but actually the phase afterwards is really … difficult," she told staff and patients during her visit to Colchester Hospital.
She said the treatment was "life-changing" for patients and their loved ones and said: "It's a roller-coaster, not one smooth plain."
The princess emphasised the importance of support after treatment, noting that while patients might no longer be getting clinical care, they were often struggling to "function normally at home".
"And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think that is really valuable," she said.
The princess resumed her official duties this year but did not attend the Royal Ascot on 18 June as expected.
During her visit to the hospital, the princess planted several roses, which the Royal Horticultural Society has named "Catherine's Rose" in her honour.
The pink roses were donated to the hospital's Wellbeing Garden as part of an effort to bring healing green spaces to "those in need" across several UK locations.
According to US publication
People
magazine, the princess is expected to appear next among other members of the royal family when hosting French President Emmanuel Macron on a UK visit.
Other members of the royal family are also facing health battles.
King Charles III last year announced he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
He returned to some public-facing duties in April last year and travelled to Australia and Samoa in October.
Queen Camilla missed multiple engagements at the end of last year due to a chest infection. However, she has since returned to royal duties.
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