Overview

• Princess of Wales made an unannounced visit on July 2 to the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, marking her first public engagement since missing Royal Ascot.
• She described post-treatment recovery as a “rollercoaster” and urged greater recognition of the ongoing challenges patients face once clinical care ends.
• Kate praised the centre’s holistic approach, highlighting therapies like creativity, singing and gardening as vital to mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
• During the visit she planted ‘Catherine’s Rose’, with proceeds from the sale of the coral-pink blooms supporting the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s training programme.
• The outing reflects her cautious strategy for resuming public duties while continuing to advocate for comprehensive support for cancer survivors.