The Princess of Wales “broke with royal convention” by speaking candidly about her ongoing cancer recovery during a visit to Colchester Hospital, a veteran royal expert has suggested.
Princess Kate was said to have sparked a “valuable conversation” when she sat down with patients to discuss her health journey as she toured the RHS Wellbeing Garden on Wednesday.
In her first public outing since cancelling an appearance at Royal Ascot, Kate offered unprecedented insight into the challenges of post-treatment life.
She spoke openly about the pressure cancer survivors face to put on a “brave face” once treatment ends.
The Princess of Wales ‘broke with royal convention’ during her ‘incredibly refreshing’ health discussion.
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“Everybody expects you to be better, but that’s not the case at all,” the Princess admitted during the visit.
Her remarkably frank discussion marked a significant departure from typical royal protocol, as she shared personal details about her recovery journey that began in early 2024.
Royal expert Jennie Bond praised Kate’s unexpected openness, calling it a refreshing break from conventional royal behaviour.
“The Princess has taken us all by surprise again by speaking from the heart in emotional terms about how cancer has changed her life,” Bond told the Mirror.
Jennie Bond felt Kate ‘sparked a valuable conversation” with her candid chat.
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Bond described Kate’s decision to speak “frankly and emotionally” as “a break with royal convention” that offers unprecedented transparency.
“I think it’s incredibly refreshing for us to be told exactly what is going on and how Catherine is feeling,” she said.
The former BBC royal correspondent noted that whilst Kate has appeared “poised, happy and confident” at recent public appearances, she is now revealing the struggles beneath.
“She is asking us to understand that, underneath the brave face, she is sometimes still struggling,” Bond explained.
The Princess emphasised with patients needing to find a ‘new normal’ after cancer treatment.
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Bond believed Kate’s words will have far-reaching impact, noting that her “decision to speak so frankly is certain to resonate with cancer sufferers all over the country, indeed the world.”
The royal expert suggested Kate could prove to be the “most valuable member” of what she called “the club no one wants to belong to.” Bond emphasised that the Princess’s words carry “a reach and an impact that virtually no other cancer survivor could match.”
“Her words will spark a valuable discussion about the various stages of the cancer journey – and how it is different for everyone but universally difficult,” Bond said.
The expert also highlighted Kate’s promotion of a holistic approach to recovery, including her love of nature, suggesting this could encourage other hospitals to establish peaceful gardens for patients.
Kate had the candid discussion while touring the RHS Wellbeing Garden.
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Kate spoke candidly about the misconceptions surrounding cancer recovery, particularly the expectation that patients should immediately return to normal life after treatment ends.
“There was often an expectation that following treatment, cancer patients ‘crack on, get back to normal’,” she explained during her hospital visit. However, she cautioned that the “very scary, very daunting experience” did not end once treatment was over.
The Princess emphasised that patients need time to find their “new normal” rather than rushing back to their previous routines.
“The phase afterwards is, you know, difficult as you’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to,” Kate revealed, offering rare insight into her personal struggles.
The Princess of Wales made her first public outing since her decision not to attend Royal Ascot.
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Kate described the recovery process as a “roller coaster” rather than the smooth journey many expect. “It’s not one smooth plain, which you expect it to be. But the reality is it’s not, you go through hard times,” she explained.
The Princess acknowledged the wider impact on families, noting that the life-changing experience affects “both for the patient but also for the families as well.”
She added that this impact “sometimes goes unrecognised” and that people don’t always “appreciate how much impact it is going to have” when facing a first-time diagnosis.
“You have to find your new normal and that takes time,” Kate said, emphasising the ongoing nature of recovery beyond the end of clinical treatment.
