The princess opened up about physical and mental health.
After her appearance at Wimbledon last week, Kate Middleton seems to be slowly preparing to step back into a full-time role within the royal family (though she's also making time for a little summer R&R). The Princess of Wales took to Instagram yesterday to share a touching statement about her ongoing work with London's Natural History Museum, where a new garden project was unveiled.
In an Instagram Story featuring images of her last visit to the Natural History Museum in 2021, Middleton wrote, “I am hugely supportive of the Museum’s commitment to create a special space which encourages people of all ages to reconnect with nature and learn more about how we can protect our natural world."
In a second slide, Middleton continued, “I know the power of nature to support our development and well-being, both by bringing us joy and helping to keep us physically, mentally and spiritually healthy. I hope these gardens will be inspiring and transformative for the thousands of people who visit.”
Middleton, who fell in love with the great outdoors as a child, has long been a champion of the transformative, healing powers of nature. In 2019, she helped to design and build a series of gardens for RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. “Spending time in nature can play a pivotal role in helping children grow up to become happy, healthy adults,” she said in a statement at the time.
She added, “The great outdoors provides an open playground for children to have fun and learn lifelong skills–from balance and coordination to empathy and creativity–with their friends, their parents, their carers, or their family members. I hope the Backyard Nature campaign inspires children, families and communities to get outside and engage with nature, wherever they live.”
Since her cancer treatment began, Middleton has stepped back from her royal duties. So far this year, she has made only two public appearances, first, at Trooping the Colour and later, at Wimbledon. Following her second appearance, sources told Vanity Fair that the princess plans to stay "below the radar" at home with her family in the coming weeks.
It's likely that Middleton will continue to enjoy the local nature near her home in Norfolk as her treatment continues. In fact, the only official 2024 portrait of the princess, which she released on Instagram alongside a statement about her health, sees her standing under a giant tree near her home. Evidently, nature really has played a pivotal role in her healing process.