A donation made by the Princess of Wales has come to light a year later. Last fall, Catherine quietly gifted a rose named after her to the Aberfan Memorial Garden, where a plaque commemorating Her Royal Highness' gift is on display.
"Catherine's Rose A Gift From HRH The Princess of Wales October 2025," the plaque reads.
© Huw Fairclough/Getty ImagesThe Royal Horticultural Society named the floribunda, grown by Harkness Roses, after the Princess of Wales last year "to celebrate the incredible healing power of nature and raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing." As the Princess underwent chemotherapy in 2024, nature became a sanctuary for her. Funds from the sale of Catherine's Rose go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
The Princess has supported the donation of a number of the roses to meaningful community and wellbeing projects across the UK as part of a wider initiative celebrating the healing power of nature, as well as to raise awareness of the important role that spending time in nature plays in bringing joy and supporting wellbeing.
Since donating two Catherine's Rose plants to the Aberfan Memorial Garden in October 2025, the Princess has donated another rose.
Earlier this year, the Princess of Wales sent the rose to the mother and baby unit of the Styal Prison and Young Offenders Institution, a women's prison in Wilmslow, Cheshire that she visited in February 2025. "We were delighted to plant 'Catherine's Rose' at HMP Styal, one year on from the princess' visit," Amanda Taylor, operational director of children's services at Action for Children, said at the time.
An image of the plaque displayed in Aberfan was taken on October 18, three days before the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster. The Princess' husband, Prince William, and King Charles laid wreaths in the garden during their visit on Wednesday, October 21.
How Princess Catherine showed her support
The monarch, his firstborn and Queen Camilla teamed up to mark the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster. The royals visited the Aberfan Memorial Garden, which stands on the site of Pantglas School, where 109 children and 5 teachers died when a coal tip collapsed onto the village. The disaster in 1966 claimed the lives of 144. The royals also visited the Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Centre.
© Alamy Stock Photo"Throughout all this, and through all the years, your unconquerable spirit has shone all the more brightly for the darkness which it has overcome," the King said in a speech on October 21. "No one should ever have to bear what you, as a community, have endured. But no one could have borne it with greater strength, resilience, or hope."
While the Princess of Wales did not join her husband and in-laws in Aberfan on Wednesday, she still showed her support. Catherine's signature was spotted on the wreath that Prince William laid down at the Aberfan Memorial Garden. The message on the royal couple's wreath read: "In our memory and in our hearts forever."
Catherine has previously visited the garden. She and William paid their respects to those who lost their lives during a 2023 visit to Wales. The Aberfan Memorial Garden was opened in 1974 by the late Queen Elizabeth to commemorate the victims and to provide a place for bereaved parents, siblings, next of kin, survivors and the community to pay their respects.
Join the hosts of HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast in New York City on November 9 for a festive evening with Princess Diana’s former chef, Darren McGrady, as he shares untold royal stories and British holiday hosting secrets. Book your tickets now, or visit your HELLO! VIP members page to enjoy an exclusive ticket discount!
