London
CNN
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Princess Welsh Catherine reflects the “really difficult” aftermath of chemotherapy during her first public appearance since her unexpected withdrawal from Royal Ascott two weeks ago.
On a visit to the happy garden of Colchester Hospital in Essex, England on Wednesday, the princess told the patient:
“But in reality, the rest of the stages are really difficult. You’re not necessarily under a clinical team, but you can’t function at home like you used to,” she added.
According to Kensington Palace, Kate visited the hospital garden in southeast England to “celebrate the incredible healing powers of nature.”
During the visit, the princess met patients and staff at the hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing Center. “To understand how gardens in a healthcare environment play an important role in promoting healthy outcomes, poor health and helping increase recovery time.”
Kate, 43, emphasizes the importance of nature on her health trip last year.
“Nature has been my sanctuary for the past year,” she said in a video posted to X, marking May’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis and revealed that she began chemotherapy last March. When she was treated, she retreated from public life and only made some rare appearances last summer. In September, she announced that she had completed her chemotherapy and “doesn’t do what she can to keep her cancer.”
She has made more appearances this year, but the popular royal family is understood to work to find the right balance when she returns to official duties after treatment.
Before dropping out of ASCOT in a short time, Kate had been involved in many engagements over the past few weeks, including two major events on the Royal Calendar, the London Color Parade and the order for garter service in Windsor.
She resumed her in-person duties last week when she and Prince William invited Melinda French Gates for a meeting at Windsor Castle. According to the UK’s PA Media News Agency, it was understood that they discussed philanthropy.
Kate’s Wednesday visit to Colchester Hospital coincided with the hospital, accepting donations of 50 “Catherine’s Rose” plants. She planted some of these roses. It donates their proceeds to Royal Marsden Cancer Charities when sold commercially.
Kate has been heavily involved with charities since her diagnosis. In January, Kensington Palace announced that she had been appointed co-patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a specialized cancer centre in Chelsea, West London, where she was treated.
Funds from the sale of these roses will be used to help charities establish specialized programs that will help cancer patients live better with illness.
