Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has opened up about the profound impact that nature has on her, describing it as a “very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection” that brings her a “sense of peace” amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Kensington Palace released captivating new footage on Monday of Kate donning a bakerboy cap while strolling along the scenic Lake Windermere in the Lake District, joined by a group of Scouts from Cumbria and Stretford, Greater Manchester.
During an exchange with chief scout Dwayne Fields captured last month, she confided how being outdoors offers her a “so… meaningful for me as a place of balance” deeply meaningful for her wellbeing. The princess, who is in remission from cancer, has been a passionate voice for the healing power of nature. She’s openly shared how the natural world became a “sanctuary” for her family throughout her diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy sessions.
As they meandered through woodland, Fields inquired what Kate contemplates during such serene moments: “When you come out here, when all the stresses and strains of regular life happen and you come into a space like this, what do you think about?”
Kate responded: “I find it a very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection I suppose, these environments. Not everyone has that same relationship perhaps with nature, but 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.”
Kate was wrapped in a cosy knitted roll-neck jumper paired with a jacket and matching trousers, complete with walking boots. Surrounded by a group of children between ages 10 and 15, the Princess of Wales was captured crouching down as the kids gathered around a map sprawled on the ground.
She engaged the youngsters, pointing to the map: “It’s so beautiful because so many of the walks here, you can see Lake Windermere because it’s huge isn’t it? Look how hilly it is in here. Have you done any of these big mountains?”
The outing continued with laughter as Kate stood amongst the Scouts enjoying ice creams at a picnic table by the lake’s edge. The princess, who shares joint presidency of the Scouts, met for the first time with Fields, who has been in his role since September.
Expressing admiration for the organisation, she shared with him: “What’s so fantastic about the Scouts is that the same foundation has sort of always been there, and still, despite how different the modern-day world is now, actually it still resonates with so many young people and it’s making such a massive difference to them.”
Echoing the importance of outdoor experiences, Fields said: “When you come out into a natural environment, it helps you understand yourself that much more. We really belong in nature. We’re in tune with it and I think we need to come back to it because there is definitely something about being in nature that’s connected to our wellbeing.”
The private visit by the Duchess to the scenic Lake District was kept under wraps until reported by Kensington Palace, revealing that the engagement took place in March.