Princess of Wales Describes Cancer Recovery and Nature’s Role

The Princess of Wales said her recovery from cancer has included good and bad days and that it would take time. In an interview with author Robert Macfarlane for a special edition of Country Life, published November 11, she compared recovery with nature’s cycles of rest and renewal.

She described the outdoors as a source of peace and perspective, and said feeling connected to nature and having trusted people nearby had helped during difficult periods. She also praised Mind Over Mountains, a charity that provides mental fitness support through activities in nature. In January, she joined the charity for a wellbeing walk in the Peak District.

The princess said she wants her children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis—to have freedom to explore rather than being told what to think or notice. She also voiced concern about anxiety among young people in a world shaped by changing technology, and said time outdoors can support children’s creativity and imagination.

She was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery in January 2024 and announced two months later that she had cancer and was receiving preventive treatment. In September 2024, she said she had completed treatment and that her return would be gradual. The following January, she announced she was in remission. She has since spoken about the lasting effects of cancer and the need for support beyond medical treatment.