Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, is opening up about a part of her cancer journey that often gets overlooked—the tough season after treatment ends.

During a heartfelt visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex, Princess Kate spoke with patients in a specially designed wellbeing garden and got real about her recovery. Though she’s completed chemotherapy and is officially in remission, she shared that the road to healing isn’t as simple as it might seem.

“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment,” she said. “Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.”

Kate explained that once the clinical care ends, it can be hard to find your footing again at home. “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,” she said. “And actually, someone to help talk you through that… I think is really valuable.”

She added that the entire experience is “life-changing,” not only for the patient but also for their family. “You have to find your new normal and that takes time,” she shared. “It’s a roller coaster—it’s not smooth like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times.”

The visit to Colchester Hospital was Kate’s first public appearance since missing Royal Ascot in June, and it was deeply meaningful. Alongside volunteers and staff, she helped plant several “Catherine’s Rose” bushes—a new variety named in her honor. Proceeds from the rose will benefit The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the same organization that cared for her during her treatment.

In total, 50 roses were donated to the hospital, and 500 more are being distributed across the U.K. to places like children’s hospices, spinal injury centers, and other healing gardens.

The garden Kate visited was designed to bring peace and restoration to patients and staff. It was a project created in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and NHS Charities Together—a joint patronage of both Kate and Prince William.

For Kate, nature has been an important part of her recovery. “During my recovery, I spent a lot of time in the outdoors because that’s where I felt at peace,” she’s said. She’s long believed in the healing power of being outside and has supported forest schools, garden therapy, and other nature-based wellness programs.

As she slowly returns to public life, Kate is also taking things one day at a time. A palace source shared, “She’s being sensible, listening to what her body is telling her, and easing back into public life.”

Through it all, Princess Kate is reminding others that healing doesn’t happen overnight—and sometimes, the hardest part is finding peace and purpose after the storm.