'You're Not Able to Function Normally': Kate Middleton Gets Candid About Life After Cancer

The Princess of Wales offered an unguarded glimpse into the emotional and physical challenges she continues to face after cancer treatment.

Wearing a soft beige pinstripe blazer over a white blouse and tailored brown trousers, Kate Middleton made her return to public duties with a visit to the RHS's Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex on July 2, 2025. She has been slowly stepping back into the spotlight following her cancer diagnosis earlier last year.

The garden, which is designed to provide a peaceful retreat for those in care, was opened in July 2024 as part of a collaborative effort involving NHS Charities Together, which counts Princess Catherine and Prince William among its patrons. While meeting with hospital staff, volunteers, and patients, Kate spoke openly about the lingering effects of her illness.

Kate started off by saying, "You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism, through treatment." She explained that while her treatment has ended, returning to everyday life has not been as simple as she had hoped.

The period that follows, she said, brings its own set of challenges. "You're not necessarily in the clinical team any longer, but you're not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to," the Princess added.

Kate also talked about the emotional weight of the post-treatment period. "Someone to help talk you through that, show you, and guide you through that phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable," she reflected.

The Princess later joined the staff in planting several Catherine's Rose blooms, a newly introduced pink flower created by the Royal Horticultural Society in her honor. According to People, at least 50 of the plants were donated to Colchester Hospital.

The outlet also reported that hundreds more will be shared with gardens across the UK, including spaces that support cancer patients, children receiving palliative care, and individuals with spinal injuries. Proceeds from the rose's sale will benefit the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which played a role in Kate's own treatment.

During her visit to the hospital, Kate also met with Adam Frost, a professional garden designer and horticulturist who helped transform the hospital’s outdoor space into a calming refuge for patients and staff.

The visit carried personal significance for Kate, who has often highlighted how nature can support well-being. According to those familiar with her journey, time spent outdoors has played a steady role in her recovery, providing a sense of calm amid ongoing challenges.

Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis publicly in March 2024 and later shared in an update some months later that she had completed chemotherapy. Speaking in a calm and steady voice in a video posted on Instagram in September last year, she reflected on the toll the experience had taken on her family.

She admitted that the past months had been “incredibly tough,” forcing her loved ones to face sudden change and uncertainty. She described the cancer journey as "complex, scary, and unpredictable," especially for those closest to her, and acknowledged that the experience had brought her "face to face" with her own vulnerability.

Through it all, she said, she and William had been reminded to cherish the “simple yet important things in life… of simply loving and being loved.”

At the time, she also made it clear that while chemotherapy had ended, her path to full recovery would be gradual, adding that she hoped to resume select public duties when able.

In recent months, Kate has approached her royal work cautiously. She notably missed Royal Ascot on June 18, a decision said to have been disappointing but necessary as she continues to listen to her body. However, she did quietly hold a private meeting alongside Prince William with philanthropist Melinda French Gates at Windsor Castle on June 25.