The Princess of Wales has spoken candidly about her cancer recovery in a rare interview for a special issue of Country Life guest-edited by her husband, the Prince of Wales. Speaking with author Robert Macfarlane, Kate reflected on how nature "doesn't judge us or expect us to perform" as she opened up about her experience since being diagnosed with cancer in 2024 following a "planned abdominal surgery".
Recovery and Nature's Lessons
The Princess revealed she was told in hospital that her recovery would not be linear, with "good days and bad days". She told the publication: "I was told in hospital that my recovery would not be linear. There will be good days and bad days; it will take time. This is the same in nature. It shows us that periods of rest, reflection and renewal are equally as important as moments of growth."
Describing nature as a sanctuary, she explained: "It doesn't ask anything of us. It doesn't judge us or expect us to perform. It simply allows us to be. It really has been my sanctuary and a place I've instinctively wanted to go."
Hope and Giving Back
When Macfarlane asked where she discovers hope, Kate said she finds it in nature's lessons: "that, despite the challenges life may throw at us, we are not alone and that we're interconnected with something bigger than ourselves". The author shared that he finds hope in witnessing communities working together to safeguard rivers, during their conversation for the special issue released on Wednesday.
Kate responded: "I couldn't agree more. It is the sense of hope we find in the darkest of times. We need to find the things that we can do alongside others, ways to connect and give back." The Princess also highlighted the work of Mind Over Mountains, a charity providing professional mental fitness support through nature walks, mindfulness practices, and time with experienced wellbeing counsellors.
Family and Early Years Focus
The Princess, who has been in remission since 2025, spoke about her passion for the outdoors, which began in her youth when she would spend hours playing in streams, blackberry picking or "simply time alone in my own world, enjoying the simplicity of ordinary things". She also opened up about raising her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis: "It is something I remind myself to do with my own children; to give them freedom to explore, rather than constantly telling them what to see or what to think".
William is continuing a family tradition established by his father, the King, stepmother, Queen Camilla, and aunt, the Princess Royal, by taking on guest editing duties for the weekly publication.
Last month, the Princess of Wales commended the "incredible" cancer treatment she received at the Royal Marsden when she visited the hospital to thank medical staff. She held talks with senior figures, expressing her belief that their plans to broaden holistic care through a new centre would be "transformative". Kate, who announced in January 2025 that she was in remission, also completed the Three Peaks Challenge within 24 hours in June to raise funds for a new specialist Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery at the Royal Marsden in central London. "This was my small way of being able to give back and say thank you to you. I had incredible care here and support from a huge team, and I'm really, really grateful on a personal level," she said.
