The Princess of Wales has spoken about her recovery from cancer in a rare magazine interview, describing nature as her "sanctuary" during treatment.
Kate Middleton discussed finding solace in the outdoors with author Robert Macfarlane for a special issue of Country Life, guest-edited by her husband, Prince William, according to the Express.
Nature's Role in Recovery
The princess said nature "doesn't judge us or expect us to perform," and echoed earlier remarks about her cancer journey, stating: "I was told in hospital that my recovery would not be linear. There will be good days and bad days; it will take time."
She added: "This is the same in nature. It shows us that periods of rest, reflection and renewal are equally as important as moments of growth."
The future queen 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."
Finding Hope and Giving Back
Asked where she finds hope, Kate replied that 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".
Macfarlane told the princess he found hope in watching communities help protect rivers, during their discussion for the magazine's special issue, published 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."
Childhood Memories and Parenting
The princess also praised Mind Over Mountains, a charity offering professional mental fitness support through nature walks, mindfulness, and time with experienced wellbeing counsellors.
Kate has long championed outdoor time, especially for children, through her early childhood development work. She described how her love of nature began in childhood, playing in streams, blackberry picking, or "simply time alone in my own world, enjoying the simplicity of ordinary things", and feeling a sense of freedom "that is hard to find elsewhere".
She spoke about parenting her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, saying: "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 follows his father, the King, stepmother, Queen Camilla, and aunt, the Princess Royal, in guest editing the weekly magazine. Last month, the Princess of Wales praised the "incredible" cancer care she received at the Royal Marsden when she returned to thank hospital staff in person, and described plans for a new holistic care centre as "transformative".
