The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, made her first public appearance since she decided not to attend Royal Ascot on June 18, for health reasons.

As the Mirror reports, 43-year-old Kate returned to her princely duties and visited Colchester Hospital today, where she spent time in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Wellbeing Garden.

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During her visit to the hospital, Kate Middleton spoke about her experience of receiving treatment for cancer and her expectations for the completion of treatment.

Speaking to patients, volunteers, and staff at the hospital’s Cancer Wellness Centre, Kate said: “There’s a whole phase when you finish your treatment where everyone expects you, right, that you’re done, that you’re better, but it’s not like that at all.”

She also spoke about the healing power of nature and said she hopes to highlight the important role that contact with nature plays in joy and mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

During her visit to Colchester Hospital, Kate also met with award-winning garden designerAdam Frost, who led the design of the garden and who worked with staff from the British Health Service (NHS) to ensure the garden meets the needs of staff and patients.

The visit comes just two weeks after she has been absent from Royal Ascot for the second year running as she tries to find her balance following treatment for cancer.