The Princess of Wales has opened up about her cancer recovery in a rare Country Life interview with author Robert Macfarlane, as Prince William guest edits the magazine
Kate Middleton has shared candid insights into her cancer recovery during a rare interview for a magazine guest-edited by her husband, the Prince of Wales. The Princess of Wales was diagnosed with cancer back in 2024 following a “planned abdominal surgery”, but has only rarely spoken of her recovery.
Now the princess, speaking with celebrated author Robert Macfarlane in a special issue of Country Life,revealed how nature “doesn’t judge us or expect us to perform”, as she reflected on her cancer experience.
Princess Kate spoke of how she was told in hospital that there would be “good days and bad days” during her recovery. The Princess of Wales has been remission since 2025.
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.”
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.”
When Macfarlane asked where she discovers hope, Kate responded that she finds it in the lessons taught by nature: “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 with the princess that he discovers hope through witnessing communities working together to safeguard rivers, during their conversation for the magazine’s special bumper issue, released on Wednesday, reports the Express.
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 which provides professional mental fitness support through a combination of nature walks, mindfulness practices, and time with experienced wellbeing counsellors.
The Princess has consistently advocated for the benefits of outdoor activities, particularly for youngsters, as part of her focus on early years development.
Her passion for the natural world, she revealed during the conversation, 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” and how she experienced a feeling of liberation “that is hard to find elsewhere”.
Kate also opened up about her approach to 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”, she explained.
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 personally thank medical staff. Kate held talks with senior figures at the Royal Marsden, expressing her belief that their ambitious plans to broaden holistic care for patients through a brand new centre would be “transformative”.
The future queen, who announced in January 2025 that she was in remission, sat down with cancer patients and hailed one father living with a brain tumour as an “inspiration” after the pair connected over the comfort they had drawn from their children’s support.
She also took on the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, completing it within 24 hours in June to raise vital 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.