Kate Middleton’s New Photo for World Cancer Day Has a Hidden Meaning: Inside the Significance

Kate Middleton released two new photos and a personal message to commemorate World Cancer Day a few weeks after announcing she is in remission on her own cancer journey, and one image came with a deeper meaning.

On Feb. 3, the Princess of Wales shared a new photo of herself standing with arms outstretched in the woods of Windsor, taken by her 6-year-old son, Prince Louis, earlier this year. A second shot was taken by Princess Kate, a self-described “enthusiastic amateur photographer,” in Windsor and appeared to be a zoomed-in view of ferns overlaid with the same words that she shared with the set of pictures on social media. 

“Don’t forget to nurture all that which lies beyond the disease,” read the message in an elegant white font overlaid by the fern picture taken by Princess Kate. She shared the same sentiment in the caption of the coordinating post on Instagram and X, plus the hashtag #WorldCancerDay before the observance on Feb. 4 and a “C” as shorthand for her first name, Catherine. Princess Kate and Prince William are known to sign social media posts with the initials of their first name to signal when messages come directly from them, making Kate’s latest post especially personal.

Nature has been a source of joy for the princess over the past year, a feeling reflected in both pictures.

The Princess of Wales seems to be embracing ferns as an uplifting symbol in recent months. Ferns are among the oldest plants on earth and are widely interpreted as a symbol of endurance, resilience and new beginnings given their ability to flourish in diverse conditions. The unfurling fronds of the ancient plants represent growth and renewal, and Princess Kate sent a message through her jewelry when she wore fern-shaped earrings to visit the grieving community of Southport in the fall.

In October 2024, Kate joined William for an unannounced outing to the town in England where three children were tragically killed in a mass stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class in July. It was Princess Kate’s first outing after she announced in September that she completed chemotherapy treatment (following her March 2024 announcement that she was undergoing treatment for cancer).

PEOPLE understands that the Prince and Princess of Wales wanted to visit Southport to show the community that they have not been forgotten and convey that they’ll continue to stand by them. 

“Ferns are a symbol of endurance, resilience and new beginnings,” Catherine Zoraida Blackwell, the designer behind the gold handcrafted earrings from her namesake label, told PEOPLE then. “It’s lovely to see her back, doing what she loves, the things she cares about so much about.”

“She’s so good at sending those thoughtful messages, and I love that about her. She’s so thoughtful and caring in every way,” added Blackwell, whose work Kate has worn since 2012, the year after she married Prince William.

Kate’s World Cancer Day post came almost three weeks after her surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, after which she relayed her “relief” that she is in remission. The outing coincided with the confirmation that the royal previously received treatment at the renowned hospital and was taking on the patronage of the medical center with Prince William.

There was also a deeper meaning to the new picture of Princess Kate shared before World Cancer Day because Prince Louis took it! The photo showed Kate bundled up in casual clothes, standing with her arms outstretched in the woods of Windsor. 

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The Prince and Princess of Wales’ family live in Windsor at Adelaide Cottage, and Prince Louis’ first exclusive photo credit might mean he is following his mom’s photography hobby.