During a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex on Wednesday, 2nd July, the Princess of Wales opened up about the her cancer journey and planted ‘Catherine’s Rose’ – a flower named in her honor – in the wellbeing garden.
The garden, which opened in July 2024, is a relaxing and restorative space for NHS staff, patients and visitors and is described a vital hub for the community, offering activities for those working in or visiting the hospital.
This green space’s impact it has on patients and NHS workers, forms part of the research for the RHS’ Blueprint for Wellbeing Gardens, which will launch next year.
Kate’s visit also coincides with the donation of 50 ‘Catherine Roses’ to the garden, which she helped to plant.
The rose, bred by Harkness roses, was unveiled in May this year to highlight the important role nature plays in supporting mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
After her conversation, the Princess of Wales planted ’Catherine’s Rose’ in the hospital’s wellbeing garden
Proceeds from every sale of Catherine’s Rose go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to help the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust establish a training programme for clinical teams nationwide. The initiative aims to strengthen support for patients during and after cancer treatment.
Following the Princess’s ceremonial planting, Harkness Roses and Kensington Palace are set to donate 500 rose plants to 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) – sending a powerful message of hope to hospital patients across the country.
The Princess of Wales during a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex on Wednesday
In January 2025, Kate Middleton shared she was in remission from cancer, after initially announcing her diagnosis via video recording in March 2024. While she has not disclosed the type of cancer or specific details about her treatment, she has since been open about her experience.
She’s also continued to highlight the “healing power of nature” in her health journey over the past year.
At this week’s hospital visit, Kate shared with patients and staff how challenging the journey has been, describing the experience as a “life-changing experience” for both patients and their families.
“You don’t necessarily, particularly when it’s the first time, […] appreciate how much impact it is going to have,” she said.
The Princess of Wales placed particular emphasis on the often-overlooked difficulty of the times that follow treatment. “You are not necessarily in that clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you once used to,” she told patients and staff, underscoring the importance of continuous support.
In light of this, she commended Colchester Hospital’s “holistic” approach to the support offered to its patients, their loved ones and their carers – one that, according to ITV, encompasses counseling and dietary advice.
Wanda Sachs is the Daily Writer for House Beautiful and Country Living, exploring the latest in interior design, home trends, property news, wellbeing and sustainable living. With a keen eye for style and a passion for storytelling, she previously served as an Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she launched and led the magazine’s monthly style vertical, covering emerging fashion trends. Wanda holds a combined BA in English and German from Goethe University Frankfurt.