The Princess of Wales‘s poignant birthday video reflects Kate’s realisation that nothing in life ‘can be taken for granted’, a royal expert has said.
To mark the royal’s 44th birthday last week, Kensington Palace released the final instalment of their year-long ‘Mother Nature’ video series – Winter.
The emotive footage featured a voiceover from Kate and showed footage of her enjoying an early morning walk in Berkshire, close to her Windsor home.
Royal author Robert Jobson said the nature-filled post signals that the royal is now increasingly aware of the need to not just ‘power through’ life and the importance of embracing every moment with children Princes George and Louis, 12 and seven, and Princess Charlotte, ten.
Speaking to Hello!, Jobson says family is now, more than ever, front and centre for the Princess of Wales, following her recovery from cancer.
The short clip showed the Princess of Wales discussing nature’s healing powers; Prince William‘s wife is heard in the video saying: ‘I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am.
‘For the rivers within us flow with ease, fears washed away, cleanse and purify. Come to peace with our tears and discover what it means to be alive.’
Jobson said of the mindful birthday post: ‘After everything she has been through, she feels blessed that her treatment is over, and quality time with the children is what matters most. She takes nothing for granted.’
A video released to mark the 44th birthday of the Princess of Wales on January 9 showed the royal enjoying the wonders and meditative qualities of nature through the changing seasons
Royal author Robert Jobson said the mindful video signals the importance of embracing every moment with Prince William, seen with Kate in October 2025, and children Princes George and Louis, 12 and seven, and Princess Charlotte, ten
He added: ‘Birthdays are all milestones and perhaps mean more now that her children are growing up fast, but this doesn’t mean that Catherine feels the need to celebrate with grand gestures.’
Jobson told Hello! he expected the Princess of Wales to be more selective about royal engagements, saying: ‘She won’t go back to the old pace; she’s learnt that lesson. It will be meaningful, with gaps in between for her family.
‘Running on empty isn’t an option; nor is missing too much time with George, Charlotte and Louis. The days of just powering through are done.’
An aide described the video release as ‘the culmination of a deeply personal creative project for the Princess, spotlighting humanity’s longstanding connection to nature, as well as nature’s capacity to inspire us and help us to heal and grow in mind, body and spirit’.
In the emotional voiceover for the Winter episode, Her Royal Highness reflects personally on her own journey and healing over the past two years.
She says: ‘Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration.
‘Where the stream slows just enough for us to see our own reflection. To discover the deepest parts of ourselves. Alongside the whispers in the pulse of every living thing.’
Family comes first: The royal expert says Kate will, now more than ever, put her three children first (Pictured with Prince George at Wimbledon in 2022)
In the voiceover for the Winter episode, Her Royal Highness reflects personally on her own journey and healing over the past two years, following her cancer diagnosis – royal expert Jobson says Kate now knows nothing can be taken for granted
Kate is seen enjoying a moonlit walk in the clip and speaks about how nature can help to ‘heal’
There was also a personally-penned caption saying: ‘The Mother Nature series has been a deeply personal, creative reflection on how nature has helped me heal. But it is also a story about the power of nature and creativity in collective healing.
‘There is so much we can learn from mother nature, as we look to build a happier, healthier world. C.’
The princess underwent major abdominal surgery in January 2024 after which doctors found evidence of cancer and she underwent a course of gruelling preventative chemotherapy.
She announced the news personally in a video message that March.
In September the same year she also revealed the news that she had completed treatment but warned that her recovery and return to royal duties would be slow but steady.
In January last year she gave the good news that she was finally in remission but again asked for public understanding about her return to public life.
The video featured beautiful winter scenery from around the UK including frosted fields and falling snow
The Princess of Wales is said to be ‘excited to explore’ what more can be done to harness the power of nature and creativity for human connection
Kensington Palace said her ‘Mother Nature’ series, which has seen a new video released on social media each quarter to mark the passing of the seasons, has been a ‘reflection of the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
‘It is a tribute to the lessons we can learn from nature, helping us to foster our own growth, strengthen our bonds with the world around us and each other.’
The Spring episode was the first launched at the start of last year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
The philosophy of this film, as with the rest of the series, they said, is rooted in the need to reconnect humanity, something Catherine explored in a recent essay on the importance of family life and childhood with Professor Waldinger.
They added: ‘As we confront the challenges of an increasingly complex and digital world, the importance of interconnectedness – the connection we have with ourselves, each other and nature – takes on even more significance.’
It is understood that moving forward, the princess is ‘excited to explore’ what more can be done to harness the power of nature and creativity for human connection, healing and wellbeing for individuals, families, communities and society.
‘We look forward to sharing more on this soon,’ an aide said.
‘These themes will continue to be at the heart of the Princess’s work moving forwards.’
The new film was made and produced by Will Warr. As well as the princess’s walk in Berkshire, elements were captured in Cumbria, Gloucestershire, London, East Sussex and the Cotswolds.
