LONDON, July 3: Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has candidly spoken about the challenges she faces in returning to her normal routine following cancer treatment. During a visit to Colchester Hospital on Wednesday, the 43-year-old royal shared insights into her ongoing recovery and the emotional toll of life after treatment.

The Princess toured the hospital’s garden, a tranquil space designed for patients, staff, and visitors to find respite. There, she engaged openly with medical staff and patients, reflecting on her own journey under the care of doctors and nurses.

“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.”

Middleton described the period after treatment as “life-changing” and emphasized the importance of support during this transition. “Someone to help talk you through that, show you, and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable,” she added. “You have to find your new normal, and that takes time… 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 Princess’ openness comes after recent health concerns surfaced when she withdrew at short notice from the Royal Ascot event last month. This marked part of her careful management of public appearances following her announcement in January that her cancer was in remission.

In recent weeks, Kate has gradually resumed public duties. She was seen in a striking turquoise outfit at the Trooping the Colour ceremony, appearing on the balcony alongside her husband, Prince William, and their three children. She also attended the annual Order of the Garter service and visited the V&A East Storehouse museum in London.

After a period of relative privacy throughout much of 2024, the Princess’ return to public life has been welcomed by many. Her absence last year sparked widespread speculation, which was finally addressed with the revelation of her cancer diagnosis.

Looking ahead, Kate is expected to attend the Wimbledon tennis championships and participate in a “meet and greet” event for a French state visit at Windsor Castle on July 8. Following these engagements, she and her family are believed to retreat to Anmer Hall, their countryside residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

In August, the Wales family is also anticipated to join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral Castle for their annual summer gathering.

Kate Middleton’s candid reflections highlight the ongoing challenges faced by those recovering from cancer and underscore the importance of support and understanding during the journey back to normal life.