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The Princess of Wales visits Colchester Wellbeing Garden

The Princess of Wales visits cancer patients and tours RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital to see nature’s role in healing first hand

During the visit, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales met award-winning garden designer Adam Frost, who led the design of the Colchester Wellbeing Garden project in close collaboration with NHS staff. Frost shared how the garden was carefully shaped to support both patients and healthcare workers. “You can tell she truly understands the power of nature and what we’re trying to achieve as gardeners,” says Adam. “When the Princess of Wales kneels down with her hands in the soil without hesitation, you know she really gets it.”

When the Princess of Wales kneels down with her hands in the soil without hesitation, you know she really gets it.

Adam Frost, garden designer
Her Royal Highness joined garden volunteers to plant Rosa ‘Catherine’s Rose’, a variety named by the RHS in her honour. Proceeds from its sales go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and 50 of the roses have already been donated to Colchester Hospital. This summer, a further 500 plants will be gifted to wellbeing and community gardens across the UK, including Maggie’s gardens for people affected by cancer, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Horatio’s Gardens for those living with spinal injuries.

Portrait of the Princess of Wales planting Rosa ‘Catherine’s Rose’ at Colchester Wellbeing Garden – © Toby Shepheard/Kensington Palace
Despite a rainy day, the Princess of Wales’s focus remained on connecting with the people she met. The visit began indoors inside the hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing Centre, where she spoke with patients and staff about how the garden supports health and aids recovery. “Most of her focus was on the people she met and the conversations she’d had,” says Adam. “She then shared her thoughts about the garden based on what she had just heard, which is really rewarding to hear – it’s amazing how well it’s been received.”

Seeing the impact of the garden first hand was a proud moment for Frost, who described the day as “the perfect finishing touch on our second wellbeing garden project.” He emphasised how the project benefits everyone involved – from volunteers to NHS staff – and was particularly moved by the praise from the Cancer Wellbeing Centre team. “Hearing their praise made me feel privileged to create something that truly helps others,” he says.

Adam also shared a lighter moment from the visit, joking about the Princess of Wales’s enthusiasm for gardening: “I could tell she wanted to plant more. She’d definitely make a great gardening buddy.”

I could tell she wanted to plant more. She’d definitely make a great gardening buddy.

Adam Frost, garden designer
For Frost, the project holds deep personal meaning. “My wife was unwell when I got involved with designing RHS wellbeing gardens,” he explains. “If you’re in a position where you can give back and say thank you, it means a lot. It can only be a positive thing to have someone so high profile speak so publicly about the benefits of gardening.”

The Colchester Wellbeing Garden, which opened in July 2024, offers a restorative space for NHS staff, patients and visitors. Created with the RHS, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, and NHS Charities Together – the latter jointly patroned by The Prince and Princess of Wales – it serves as a community hub and is part of research for the RHS Wellbeing Garden Blueprint launching in spring 2026.

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