The Princess of Wales has spoken about the role nature has played in helping her through difficult periods in her life during a private visit to a mental health charity in south-west London.
New photographs released from the engagement show Kate, 44, visiting Dose of Nature in Kew last month, where she learned about the organisation’s approach to supporting people experiencing mental health challenges.
During the visit, she met Dr Alison Greenwood, Clinical Lead Dr Georgina Gould and other members of the charity’s team to discuss its work combining clinical psychology with outdoor experiences.
Princess Observes Nature-Based Therapy Session
Kate also attended a weekly ‘Art in Nature’ session at Pensford Field, the charity’s Richmond-based location.
For the engagement, the princess wore a £379 jacket from Alexa Chung’s Barbour collection, alongside a patterned jumper and a pie-frill blouse.
Her hair was styled in loose waves.
During the session, she spoke with Tom, a former participant in the charity’s programme who now works as a volunteer Nature Guide.
Tom explained how spending time outdoors had helped improve his self-confidence and resilience.
Responding to his experience, Kate said their personal journeys had been different but acknowledged the healing benefits she had also experienced through her relationship with nature.
“Our journey has been very very different, but it’s so wonderful to hear how your nature connection and how it’s been so healing for you, and I felt the same,” she said.
She also praised his work helping others in the community find purpose, meaning and a sense of belonging through their experiences outdoors.
Kate Explains How Nature Supports Emotional Wellbeing
The princess further discussed how spending time in natural surroundings could provide a lasting sense of stability, particularly when people faced uncertainty about their futures.
She explained that feeling connected to the natural world could help individuals develop a greater sense of resilience and confidence in their ability to cope with life’s challenges.
Kate also spoke with other participants about how creativity and engagement with the outdoors had helped them with their mental wellbeing.
Charity Has Delivered Hundreds of Nature Prescriptions
Established in 2018, Dose of Nature works with the NHS and accepts GP referrals to support people experiencing different mental health difficulties.
Its Nature Prescription programme encourages participants to use outdoor activities and contact with the natural environment as part of their wellbeing support.
The initiative provides one-to-one assistance from trained Nature Guides, alongside organised experiences in natural surroundings designed to offer continued support.
The charity delivered 547 Nature Prescriptions across the boroughs of Richmond and Guildford last year.
Princess Has Previously Spoken About Nature During Cancer Recovery
Kate has repeatedly highlighted the importance of the natural world in her personal life, including during her recovery from cancer treatment and chemotherapy.
In a video series released to mark her 44th birthday, the princess discussed how nature had helped her heal.
She has also previously spoken about the mental health challenges she experienced during pregnancy, describing some of her struggles as ‘unseen’.
Last month, she shared a message encouraging parents to make outdoor activities a priority for their children, particularly in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important,” she said in a video shared on Instagram.
The message formed part of her longstanding initiative to improve the lives of young children, with parents encouraged to help youngsters spend less time on their phones and more time outdoors.
Kensington Palace Releases New Countryside Portraits
Alongside the photographs from the charity engagement, Kensington Palace released a collection of new countryside portraits of the princess taken by photographer Josh Shinner.
The images show Kate wearing a wax jacket, patterned jumper and pie-frill blouse, with her hair arranged in loose waves.
The latest engagement continues her public advocacy for mental health awareness and the benefits of connecting with nature.
During a video released for Mental Health Awareness Week last year, Kate spoke about the natural world’s ability to support personal growth and recovery.
“The natural world’s capacity to inspire us, to nurture us and help us heal and grow is boundless and has been understood for generations,” she said.
She added that connecting with nature could help people understand their relationship with themselves, the environment and one another, while recognising the importance of balance, renewal and resilience.
