In early 2024, the Princess of Wales faced a daunting challenge with her cancer diagnosis. Despite this, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that like many others during this time of year, Kate will find solace in her cherished gardens.
Jennie Bond suggests that Catherine will find immense comfort in spending time outdoors amidst her recovery. She acknowledges that the winter months in the UK can be dreary, especially for someone recuperating from surgery. However, Catherine has always drawn strength and inspiration from nature and outdoor activities. The emergence of spring, with its green shoots symbolizing new life and hope, will likely buoy her spirits, particularly if she’s been involved in planting seeds and witnessing their growth alongside her children.
Kate has not only been a vocal supporter of early childhood development but also an advocate for the positive effects of spending time outdoors on mental and physical well-being. Like her father-in-law, King Charles, she will likely find rejuvenation simply by being in nature, which will undoubtedly aid her in confronting her treatment and recovery.
Throughout the years, Kate has openly expressed her love for the outdoors and her pride in her gardening endeavors. She has shared anecdotes about growing her own potatoes and has actively participated in gardening activities, such as winter planting workshops and building bird boxes. Her support for initiatives like the RHS’s school gardening campaign underscores her commitment to bringing gardening and nature into the lives of young people. Moreover, she has revealed that her youngest son shares her passion for horticulture, mentioning that Louis is cultivating broad beans at school.
Kate has always taken great solace and inspiration from the natural world, says Jennie Bond (
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Just like many other Britons, Kate has openly expressed her fondness for spending time at her local garden center. During a visit to Fakenham Garden Centre near her Norfolk residence, Anmer Hall, in 2020, she emphasized its appeal as a family-friendly space, mentioning that her children enjoy visiting and exploring it. She shared anecdotes about her kids’ interests, such as George’s fascination with Venus flytraps and their collective experience of growing tomatoes during lockdown, which had them thrilled to see their plants matching their height.
One of Kate’s most notable gardening endeavors was her debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2019 with her Back to Nature Garden. The garden, characterized by a charming treehouse, a rope swing, and a vibrant green and blue color scheme, was designed to be interactive and enjoyable for people of all ages.
George Plumptre, a royal gardening author, acknowledges Kate’s genuine interest in gardening, noting her active involvement at Anmer Hall and her contributions to the Chelsea Flower Show garden. He appreciates the continuity of personal involvement in gardening from one generation of royals to the next.
Kate, affectionately dubbed “the Children’s Princess,” ensured that children were central to the design of her garden. She incorporated playful elements like a campfire area for toasting marshmallows, a small waterfall, a hollow log for children to explore, and a den made from hazel sticks collected by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis during their woodland adventures.
Prince William, Princess Kate and their children pictured at the Chelsea Flower Show (
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“At the time, Kate emphasized the importance of outdoor activities for children, stating, ‘I believe that spending time outdoors when we are young can play a role in laying the foundations for children to become happy, healthy adults.’ She expressed her conviction that engaging with nature and outdoor activities has significant benefits for both physical and mental well-being, especially for young children.
Kate’s collaborators, Andrée Davies and Adam White, disclosed that the princess had been actively involved in every aspect of the garden’s design. Sue Biggs, former director general of the Royal Horticultural Society, remarked that Kate played a hands-on role in conceptualizing the garden.
Prior to the official launch of the Chelsea Flower Show, Prince George, now 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, had the opportunity to experience the garden firsthand. When asked by their father, Prince William, to rate it “out of 10”, Prince George enthusiastically declared it deserved “20”, prompting a light-hearted response from William. Kate fondly reminisced about her own childhood memories of being outdoors and expressed joy in sharing similar experiences with her children.”
