Struggling through cancer treatment: Kate Middleton shares her struggles with maintaining a strong front, admitting feelings of inability to manage at home - her most intimate health remarks to date.
In a heartfelt statement, Princess Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, shared her experiences of cancer treatment and recovery during her recent visit to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital.
Middleton, who spent last year undergoing chemotherapy, described her journey as a "difficult, life-changing, and ongoing process." She highlighted that the phase after finishing treatment can be particularly challenging, as patients may find themselves struggling to return to their normal lives.
The Princess emphasized the importance of having support to help guide people through this post-treatment phase, which is often overlooked. She noted that while patients may put on a brave face during treatment, the period afterward can be tough, with patients often finding it hard to function as they once did at home.
Middleton underscored that the recovery journey is not a smooth or quick return to normalcy, but rather a "rollercoaster" that requires finding a new balance in life. She emphasized that the profound impact of a first cancer diagnosis and treatment can sometimes go unrecognized, not only for the patient but also for their families.
During her visit to Colchester Hospital, Middleton joined volunteers to plant a set of 'Catherine's roses,' named in her honour by the Royal Horticultural Society this May. The Catherine Rose will be donated to 500 wellbeing and community gardens across the nation, including Maggie’s gardens, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, and Horatio’s Gardens.
Princess Eugenie, who has shown her support for Horatio’s Garden, a charity that works to ensure those undergoing spinal surgery have access to outdoor spaces, shared her joy at being on the journey with the organisation. Horatio’s Garden’s mission is to reach every spinal injuries unit in the UK, according to Princess Eugenie.
The three causes - East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, Horatio’s Garden, and the Royal Marsden Hospital, where Middleton was treated for cancer throughout 2024 - are dear to the hearts of the royal family. A portion of the funds raised by sales of 'Catherine's roses' will go to the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Middleton has been patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices since 2012, and earlier this year, she also became patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales. During her visit to Colchester Hospital, she spoke with award-winning garden designer Adam Frost about the therapeutic benefits of gardening for patients and their families.
Middleton chose to wear her engagement ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana, during her visit to Colchester Hospital. Her candid discussion about her cancer treatment and recovery experience is a testament to her commitment to raising awareness about the challenges faced by cancer patients and their families and advocating for post-treatment support.
- Princess Kate Middleton, who spent last year battling cancer, expressed that her journey was a "difficult, life-changing, and ongoing process" in a heartfelt statement.
- Middleton emphasized that the post-treatment phase can be particularly challenging, highlighting the need for support to help guide patients through this period.
- The recovery journey, according to Middleton, is like a "rollercoaster," requiring patients to find a new balance in life.
- Middleton, while visiting the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, planted 'Catherine's roses' to be distributed to several wellbeing and community gardens across the nation, including those focused on mental health, women's health, and health and wellness.
- Princess Eugenie, a supporter of Horatio’s Garden, a charity that ensures spinal injury patients have access to outdoor spaces, spoke of the organization's mission to reach every spinal injuries unit in the UK.
- Middleton's candid discussion about her cancer treatment and recovery experience is a testament to her commitment to raising awareness about the challenges faced by cancer patients and advocating for post-treatment support, while also promoting a style that pays homage to royal heritage, as evidenced by her wearing Princess Diana's engagement ring during the hospital visit.
