Kate Middleton, making her first public appearance since missing the highly anticipated family gathering at the Royal Ascot last month, shared insights about the “challenging” phase of her cancer treatment, providing fans with a deeper understanding of the arduous journey to recovery she has been on for over a year.
The Princess of Wales discussed the necessity of maintaining a “brave face” while seated with a group of fellow cancer patients at the RHS Wellbeing Garden located at Colchester Hospital.
“Everyone expects you to be better – but that’s not the reality at all,” she reflected, as others in the small group nodded in agreement.
Frequently, she has sensed an expectation from the public, particularly the media, to “move on, return to normal” after enduring more than a year of chemotherapy treatments.
“There is a whole phase when you complete your treatment, and everyone anticipates you to be better – go! But that’s not the reality at all,” she conveyed to the group.
“You present a sort of brave face, exhibiting stoicism throughout treatment. Once treatment concludes, it feels like ‘I can move on, return to normal’ but in fact, the subsequent phase is quite challenging.”
However, a “very frightening, very overwhelming experience” during her chemotherapy left Middleton visibly affected as she recounted how the struggle did not cease with the intravenous treatments. She noted that there exists a “new normal” that all cancer survivors must adapt to.
“You’re no longer necessarily under the care of the clinical team, yet you find it difficult to function normally at home as you might have previously,” she elaborated. “And indeed, having someone to assist you in navigating that, to show you and guide you through that phase following treatment, I believe is incredibly valuable.”
Middleton disclosed that she has experimented with acupuncture – a traditional Chinese technique involving needling to alleviate pain and stress throughout the body – and found it beneficial in her recovery journey, she shared with the intimate gathering.
During her visit, the Princess assisted other patients at Colchester Hospital in planting rose bushes in a garden designed to provide cancer patients with tranquility during their stay.
Doctors had announced that Middleton’s cancer was in remission last year; however, her recent absence from the Royal Ascot horse racing event raised concerns among Royal Family admirers regarding her health. Aides emphasized that nothing catastrophic had transpired and that the Princess had consistently been transparent about her gradual return to public engagements, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Describing her cancer experience as “life changing,” she likened chemotherapy treatment to a “rollercoaster” filled with emotional and physical highs and lows, adding that she has adopted a “mind, body, and spirit” approach to coping with the outcomes.
She remarked, “You must discover your new normal, and that requires time.”
The visit, which featured a walkabout with therapist Amanda Green throughout the facility, provided the most personal insight into Middleton’s private struggle with cancer. The two discussed the advantages of acupuncture and reflexology, which Middleton confessed she has yet to try.
“It’s life changing for anyone,” she stated during her visit. “Whether it’s during the initial diagnosis or after treatment, it is a transformative experience not only for the patient but also for their families.”
In fact, it often goes unnoticed; particularly during the initial diagnosis, one may not fully comprehend the extent of its impact.
“You must find your new normal, and that takes time… and it’s a rollercoaster; it’s not a smooth journey as one might expect. The reality is that it is not, and you will encounter difficult times.”
“Having a place like this that offers a support network through creativity, singing, or gardening, whatever it may be, is incredibly valuable, and it is wonderful that this community has it.”
“It would be fantastic if many communities had access to this type of support.”
“You must discover your new normal, a process that requires time… and it resembles a rollercoaster; it is not a continuous, smooth journey as one might anticipate. The truth is, it is not, and you will encounter challenging moments.”
“Having a space like this, where a support network exists through creativity, singing, or gardening—whatever the activity may be—is incredibly valuable, and it is wonderful that this community offers it.”
“It would be beneficial if many communities could provide this type of support.”