Overview

• The princess made her first public engagement since skipping Royal Ascot with a surprise July 2 visit to the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, marking her gradual return while managing her recovery.
• She described life after cancer treatment as a “rollercoaster” and highlighted the gap between clinical supervision ending and full reintegration into daily life.
• She emphasized that the impact of diagnosis and treatment often goes unrecognized and urged better guidance for patients and families in the post-treatment phase.
• She praised the centre’s holistic model, noting the value of counselling, dietary advice and activities such as gardening, singing and creative workshops for wellbeing.
• During her visit she planted ‘Catherine’s Rose’ plants, part of a scheme raising funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and distributing blooms to wellbeing gardens nationwide.