2 days ago
Princess of Wales plants roses named after her
The Princess of Wales has planted roses named after her at an NHS hospital garden while speaking to cancer patients about how going outside in the fresh air has helped them.
The Princess, who has spoken extensively about how she has found solace in the outdoors following her cancer diagnosis and recovery, joined patients and staff at the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex.
Kensington Palace said she was there to 'celebrate the incredible healing power of nature and raise awareness of the important role that spending time in nature plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing'.
The visit came alongside a donation of 50 Catherine's Roses, named after the Princess by the RHS.
Funds from the sale of the flowers go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Some 500 of the plants are being 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.
The Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, which opened in July 2024, aims to be a 'relaxing and restorative space for NHS staff, patients and visitors' and hosts activities for those in or visiting the hospital.
During the visit, the Princess met patients at the hospital's cancer wellbeing centre, sitting with them in the garden to talk about their own treatment.
She also met with Adam Frost, an award-winning horticulturist and designer who created the garden, and NHS staff who volunteer in the garden.
The site is being studied by the RHS as part of research for its Blueprint for Wellbeing Gardens, which will launch next year.
