The Princess of Wales has shared her most personal reflections yet on her health as she spoke out while celebrating her birthday.
As Kate turned 44, she spoke of her recovery journey and how she was grateful to reflect on ”what it means to be alive.”
The deeply personal insights came as she shared another of her ”Mother Nature” videos which have seen her talk about how the world around her makes a difference to her.
Noting that they were all about ”how nature has helped me heal”, the Princess went on to talk about the comfort she had found in nature over the past two years which have seen her diagnosed with cancer after undergoing major abdominal surgery. She announced in January 2025 that she was now in remission.
And it contained deeply personal insights from Kate who opened up as she said ”I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am. For the rivers within us flow with ease, fears washed away, cleanse and purify. Come to peace with our tears and discover what it means to be alive.”
It was a striking admission from the Princess who has made her way back to public engagements after chemotherapy treatment. The day before her birthday, she made a surprise visit to Charing Cross Hospital with Prince William to thank staff there as the NHS copes with increased demand from a nasty flu season and extreme cold weather.
The ‘Winter’ instalment of Kate’s four part Mother Nature series was released to mark her birthday instead of the now expected portrait photograph that usually accompanies royal celebrations.
The Princess, who was seen in the video walking through forests and fields, opened up further as she said ”In the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration.”
She is seen dipping her hand into a river with her famous engagement ring at the centre of the image as the water runs around it. Kate says it is a comfort ”to discover the deepest parts of ourselves. Alongside the whispers in the pulse of every living thing.”
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace celebrated the birthday of the Princess of Wales with a more traditional photo taken during one of her public engagements.
The Princess of Wales turned 44 on January 9 2026.
