New images from the Princess of Wales’s private visit to a mental health charity have been released, highlighting her enduring appreciation for the natural world.
Last month, Kate visited Dose of Nature, a south-west London charity that helps people improve their wellbeing through clinical psychology and a stronger connection with nature.
She met Dr Alison Greenwood, clinical lead Dr Georgina Gould and other members of the team to learn more about the organisation’s innovative approach to mental health support.
Wearing a stylish £379 jacket from Alexa Chung’s Barbour collection, Kate observed a weekly Art in Nature session at the charity’s Richmond site, Pensford Field.
The princess also spoke openly about how her own connection with nature had supported her during some of the most difficult periods of her life.
During the visit, Kate, 44, met Tom, a former programme participant who now volunteers as a Nature Guide for the charity. He explained how spending time outdoors had strengthened his confidence and resilience.
“Our journey has been very, very different, but it’s so wonderful to hear how your connection with nature has been so healing for you, because I felt the same,” Kate told Tom.
“The fact that you’re able to provide that to so many other people in this community — that sense of purpose, meaning and belonging through that experience.”
New images from the Princess of Wales’s private visit to a mental health charity have been released, highlighting the royal’s love of the great outdoors
She met Dr Alison Greenwood and clinical lead Dr Georgina Gould, alongside members of the charity’s team, to learn about its innovative approach to mental health support
She met Dr Alison Greenwood and clinical lead Dr Georgina Gould alongside members of the charity’s team to learn about its innovative approach to mental health support
“I think it has the longevity and sustainability of making you feel that, almost without knowing what’s to come or having control over what the future might hold, you can cope with things because you feel that interconnection. I think that makes it holistic in the truest sense.”
Kate, who has previously discussed her “unseen” mental health struggles during pregnancy, also spoke with members of the group about how nature and creative activities had helped her heal.
Established in 2018, Dose of Nature works with the NHS and accepts GP referrals to support people experiencing a variety of mental health challenges.
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Its Nature Prescription programme encourages participants to use time in nature to improve their wellbeing. Nature Guides offer one-to-one support, while immersive outdoor sessions are designed to create a longer-term framework for care.
Last year, the charity provided 547 Nature Prescriptions across the boroughs of Richmond and Guildford.
Kate has frequently spoken about the role of nature in her life, including during her cancer journey and ongoing recovery following chemotherapy.
Last month, the Princess of Wales said that “spending quality time outdoors has never been more important” in a heartfelt message to parents.
As part of her longstanding initiative to improve young children’s lives, Kate urged parents to encourage youngsters to put down their phones and spend time outside.
Wearing a stylish £379 jacket from Alexa Chung’s Barbour collection, Kate observed a weekly Art in Nature session at the charity’s Richmond site, Pensford Field
The princess also spoke candidly about how her connection with nature had helped her through some of her most challenging times
Founded in 2018, Dose of Nature works with the NHS and GP referrals to support people experiencing a range of mental health challenges
“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,” the future queen said in a video shared on Instagram.
Kensington Palace also published a new series of countryside portraits of Kate, taken by Josh Shinner.
The princess appeared radiant in her favourite wax jacket, worn over a patterned jumper and pie-frill blouse. Her hair was styled in loose waves.
Kate has long championed mental health causes and described how nature helped her “heal” after cancer treatment in a video series released for her 44th birthday.
In a video released during Mental Health Awareness Week last year, Kate said: “The natural world’s capacity to inspire us, nurture us and help us heal and grow is boundless and has been understood for generations.
“It is through nature that we can fully understand the true interconnectedness of all things, the importance of balance, and the importance of renewal and resilience. Connecting with nature helps us experience a deeper sense of ourselves, the world around us and each other.”