The Princess of Wales spoke candidly about her recovery with cancer on Wednesday, telling patients and staff at the Colchester Hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing Centre that “everybody expects you to be better,” after completing treatment, “But that’s not the case at all.”
The future queen paid an unannounced visit to Essex for an engagement to discuss the benefits of nature and how it can help “in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing,” according to Kensington Palace.
While visiting with staff and patients, Catherine spoke candidly of her own cancer treatment and recovery. The royal, who announced she’d been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in March 2024, announced her remission earlier this year.
She revealed that it’s “not the case at all” that you immediately feel better after you complete treatment. “You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” Catherine said.
The royal also said that having someone to help guide cancer patients through the post-treatment phase of life would be “really valuable.” In a very revealing moment, Catherine said that “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatment’s done, then it’s like ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually the phase afterwards is really, you know, difficult.”
She compared it to a “rollercoaster,” saying that it’s not a smooth transition back to a life pre-cancer, and that it’s life-changing for both patients and their families. Through nature, or other hobbies, Catherine said, having the support network to help patients navigate their lives “is so valuable.”
During her visit to the Cancer Wellbeing Centre, Catherine helped plant some of the 50 Catherine’s Roses donated by the RHS. The rose, publicly revealed earlier in the spring, benefits the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Kensington Palace announced that 500 Catherine’s Roses have been donated to “wellbeing and community gardens” across the United Kingdom.
Following her visit, Kensington Palace shared on social media: “Grateful to everyone who helped create this special space for wellbeing, and to all those working and volunteering here to support patients. Thank you to those too who generously shared their stories of recovery 🌹”
