The Princess of Wales is well-known for finding solace and balance in nature, and many believe that this connection has played a huge role in her healing journey.
Key Insights
- Kate has been a long-time advocate for the mental and physical benefits of being outdoors, promoting activities like ‘forest bathing’ and hands-on gardening.
- According to her friends, being in nature has been crucial for her healing process, especially during her recovery from cancer.
- Recently, during a visit to the Lake District with Scouts, Princess Kate talked about experiencing “peace and reconnection” in the outdoors.
Kate Middleton strongly believes in the rejuvenating power of nature, which has become a key part of her life both publicly and personally. As a fan of “forest bathing,” a Japanese practice focused on immersing oneself in nature for mental clarity, she often shares how outdoor experiences help her think more clearly.
Collaborating with landscape architects Andr e Davies and Adam White for the Chelsea Flower Show back in 2019, Kate actively pushed for incorporating forest bathing into the display. According to White, “The Duchess was all for embracing this Japanese idea, and the idea was to create an immersive experience that made people feel like they were in an actual forest.”
During her cancer treatment last year, nature took on even more importance for Kate. In her first health update following her diagnosis, she was photographed outside, beautifully relaxed while leaning against a tree in Windsor.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith shared her thoughts about that photograph, saying, “There she is in nature, which has strengthened her. It’s an uplifting moment that offers hope to everyone watching.”
Friends and colleagues of the princess have noticed just how essential that connection to nature has been throughout her recovery. Chief scout Dwayne Fields, who accompanied Kate on a trip to the Lake District earlier this year, mentioned that she once told him, “I spent lots of time outside during my recovery because it’s where I truly felt at ease.” He remarked on her ability to connect with others during conversations, which he believes is one of her greatest qualities.
Visited by Luis, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—who also adore the area—the trip served as a nostalgic trip for Kate, who has fond childhood memories of ‘boulder hopping’ there. She mentioned, “Walking in the fells is something my kids love right now, just as I did as a child.”
In her past reflections, Kate has often emphasized the importance of these natural connections for family life, stating, “Quality time outdoors is vital to how we bond as a family.” Most memorable for her, are those simple moments spent playing outside together.
While opening two new gardens at the Natural History Museum last summer, she expressed her views on nature, affirming, “I genuinely believe nature has the power to enhance our well-being—bringing joy and nurturing our physical, mental, and spiritual health.”
For more about Kate’s perspective on wellness, you can find the original piece in People.
