Kate Middleton issues new statement and hails 'powerful' support amid cancer recovery

The Princess of Wales has issued a new statement where she has hailed the "power of nature" in supporting "our development and wellbeing".

Kate's words appeared in a series of stories on her official Instagram page, where she expressed her support for the opening of the Natural History Museum's new gardens. The 42-year-old, w ho is facing ongoing chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis, visited the project in 2021 to learn about its progress. And in a message, she expressed her support for the project and opened up about how she knows about the "power of nature" when it comes to supporting people and keeping them "physically, mentally and spiritually healthy".

She said in the message: "I am hugely supportive of the Museum’s commitment to create a special space which encourages people of all ages to reconnect with nature and learn more about how we can protect our natural world. I know the power of nature to support our development and wellbeing, both by bringing us joy and helping to keep us physically, mentally and spiritually healthy."I hope these gardens will be inspiring and transformative for the thousands of people who visit."

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The venture in central London opened to the public on Thursday and aims to support urban nature, scientific research and education and contains a brand-new bronze dinosaur – a giant 22-metre-long Diplodocus. It features two gardens – the Nature Discovery Garden and the Evolution Garden – over five acres wrapped around the museum's site in South Kensington and tells the story of the changing natural world.

Kate at the Natural History Museum in 2021
(Image: PA)

The new landscape opened as a free-to-visit "outdoor gallery" as well as a "living laboratory" to support nature recovery in the face of climate change, the museum said. The £25 million project is expected to be one of the most intensively studied urban nature sites globally.

Her message comes just days after she presented the Wimbledon men’s final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, in her second public engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis. Kate, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, spoke to ball boys and girls after she entered Centre Court to loud applause on Sunday afternoon. Wearing a purple Safiyaa dress, she attended Sunday’s final with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister Pippa Matthews.

Kate at Wimbledon on Sunday
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Her first appearance since her diagnosis came last month when she attended Trooping the Colour with the rest of the Royal Family. Beforehand, she opened up about her health, admitting she has good days and bad days and explaining how her treatment could be continuing for a "few more months".

She said: I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.

"On those bad days, you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months.

"On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home....

"I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal. Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”

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