Catherine, Princess of Wales, resumed public engagements on Wednesday with a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex, her first appearance since she withdrew from Royal Ascot on 18 June. The trip marks another step in her phased return to work after Kensington Palace said in January that she was in remission from cancer diagnosed the previous year. Speaking with patients at the hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing Centre, the 43-year-old royal said the period after chemotherapy "is really difficult," adding that many survivors feel pressure to "crack on, get back to normal" even though they are "not able to function normally at home." She likened recovery to a "roller-coaster" and urged the need for guidance while establishing a "new normal." Catherine disclosed that she had used acupuncture during her treatment, echoing King Charles III’s long-standing support for complementary therapies. She praised centres that combine medical care with holistic services, saying support for "mind, body and spirit" is essential once clinical oversight ends. The princess helped plant some of the 50 "Catherine’s Rose" bushes donated to the hospital, part of a wider initiative whose sales benefit the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where she serves as joint patron. Palace officials said she will continue to balance official duties with her ongoing recovery.