Kate Middleton made a rare public appearance in a new video released by Kensington Palace on Monday, reflecting on the emotional and spiritual connection she finds in nature. The Princess of Wales, 43, visited England's Lake District last month to meet with local Scouts and Chief Scout Dwayne Fields, describing the natural world as a vital source of balance amid her ongoing health challenges.
"I find it a very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection I suppose, these environments," Princess Kate said in the video. "It is so therefore meaningful for me as a place to balance and find a sort of sense of peace and reconnection in what is otherwise a very busy world."
The short film, part of a wider initiative highlighting the mental health benefits of the outdoors, shows Kate and Fields walking near Lake Windermere alongside Scouts aged 10 to 15 from groups in Cumbria and Greater Manchester. The Scouts were working toward earning their Naturalist Badge. "What's so fantastic about Scouts is it's the same foundations that have always been there," she told the group, emphasizing that despite modern challenges, the values and experiences still resonate strongly with young people.
Fields echoed Kate's sentiments on the significance of outdoor experiences for youth. "They learn leadership skills, spend time making friends and those life-long really great memories that we all hold onto," he said. "If we can do that, we'll build up a generation who is passionate about our natural spaces."
The Princess of Wales, who has been undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis last year, has long championed time spent in nature as a means of personal growth and well-being. The trip to the Lake District marked a return to a familiar and cherished location; she previously visited with Prince William in 2019 and spoke about vacationing there as a child. She recalled how her own children-Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis-also enjoy walking in the fells and exploring the outdoors.
Kate's advocacy for nature as a source of healing has become more personal in recent months. Following her cancer diagnosis, the royal shared an image of herself leaning against a tree in Windsor, accompanied by a statement expressing resilience and optimism. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith remarked that the photo conveyed "a sign of real hope and encouragement."
Earlier this month, on the UK's Mothering Sunday, the Princess posted a message honoring Mother Nature, writing: "Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary... our bond with the natural world can help not only nurture our inner selves but remind us too of the role we play within the rich tapestry of life." She signed the note with a personal "C" for Catherine.
The Princess' latest appearance is one of few since the palace confirmed her diagnosis, and her participation comes during her children's school break, a time she and Prince William traditionally scale back royal duties to spend time as a family. Her comments during the Scout engagement reiterate her longstanding support for initiatives that encourage children's engagement with the natural world, a cause she has championed through her patronage and public advocacy.
Fields, reflecting on the experience, added: "In an increasingly complex world digital technology has its place, but the few hours we spent in the hills without screens was magical... Outdoor adventures can build the vital skills young people need for the rest of their lives."
