Royal watchers will have been delighted to see that the traditional Mother’s Day photo shared by the Princess of Wales annually has been replaced with a video this year.

The clip, which celebrates the power of Mother Nature, was accompanied by a statement signed off by Catherine, 43.

She wrote: ‘Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary. This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate Mother Nature and recognise how our bond with the natural world can help not only nurture our inner selves, but remind us too of the role we play within the rich tapestry of life. C.’

Different natural environments from around the UK, including woodlands, beaches and the oceans, and fields, are featured in the video. 

The inclusion of these natural environments hints at people’s connection to the natural world, suggesting how spending time in the great outdoors can benefit humans. 

Notably, the video is reminiscent of the clip shared by Catherine last year, when she revealed she had completed the chemotherapy treatment she had undertaken for an undiagnosed form of cancer. 

In that video, the Wales family was seen in natural locations in their beloved Norfolk – including beaches and woodlands. This clip appears to have been filmed at the same time she filmed her clip revealing she had finished chemotherapy treatment, as she appears wearing what looks like the same dress.

Mother-of-three Catherine has been open about how the natural world has brought her comfort as she’s struggled through a difficult year.

Catherine’s face was not seen in the video, which focused on images of nature, like this woodland area

The mother-of-three in the photograph she shared to celebrate Mother’ Day last year, taken by Prince William

The mother-of-three accompanied the video with a caption in which she praised the power of Mother Nature

In July last year, while she was still undergoing chemotherapy, she issued a new statement hailing the ‘power of nature’ in supporting ‘wellbeing’. 

A series of Instagram stories posted on the 18th of that mont, shared how she was ‘hugely supportive’ of the Natural History Museum and the opening of its new gardens.

The central London museum today opened a free-to-visit ‘outdoor gallery’ as well as a ‘living laboratory’ to support nature recovery in the face of climate change.

Five acres wrapping around the building in South Kensington were transformed into two gardens – the Nature Discovery Garden and the Evolution Garden, which tell the story of the changing natural world. 

The Natural History Museum opened the major green space, complete with a huge brand-new bronze dinosaur, to support urban nature, scientific research and education.

‘I am hugely supportive of the Museum’s commitment to create a special space which encourages people of all ages to reconnect with nature and learn more about how we can protect our natural world,’ Catherine wrote on Instagram.

‘I know the power of nature to support our development and wellbeing, both by bringing us joy and helping to keep us physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.

‘I hope these gardens will be inspiring and transformative for the thousands of people who visit.’

The Princess of Wales has issued a new statement hailing the ‘power of nature’ in supporting ‘wellbeing’ as she continues her cancer treatment

Princess Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, is pictured during her visit to the Natural History Museum in June 2021 where she took a tour of the wildlife gardens

Kate, pictured during a June 2021 visit to the Natural History Museum, shared on her Insatgram stories today that was ‘hugely supportive’ of the museum opening its new gardens

Catherine’s Mother’s Day video posted this year marks a departure from last year, when she posted an image of herself smiling as she posed with with her three children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.

As a keen amateur snapper, the mother-of-three often takes her own pictures when it comes to sharing images of her children’s birthdays and other events.

But on this occasion, it emerged that her husband, Prince William, 42, had taken the snap of his happy family.

However, the snap caused some controversy after it was revealed it had been edited.

After some eagle-eyed viewers noticed apparent tweaks, the Palace soon came under pressure to reveal the truth behind the image after the world’s top picture and news agencies – including PA – ‘killed’ the image over claims it had been digitally manipulated.

The photo of the mother-of-three beaming with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was the first official picture released of the princess since she underwent ‘planned abdominal surgery’ last January.

Rumours swirled and sleuths pointed out flaws in the image, which included strange blurs and missing sleeves, until Kate released a statement blaming her own ‘experiment with editing’.

A statement at the time from the Princess of Wales said: ‘Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C’

Royal sources stressed that this was ‘an amateur, family photograph taken by the Prince of Wales’.

They said the couple wanted to offer an ‘informal’ picture of the family together for Mother’s Day and the princess made ‘minor adjustments’, as she has shared in her statement on social media. 

An aide added: ‘The Wales family spent Mother’s Day together and had a wonderful day.’

Royal fans have shared their joy at seeing the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Social media users took to X to wish Princess Kate a Happy Mother’s Day after the new photos of her was released 

However, royal fans were still delighted to see the image last year – which was the first released since the royal had undertaken serious abdominal surgery earlier that year – with some taking to social media to share their thoughts. 

One fan wrote on X: ‘Wonderful to see this photograph of the Princess of Wales released for Mother’s Day. Perfect timing. Looking forward to her return to public duties when her health permits.’ 

Another said: ‘I’m so happy we have been treated to such a beautiful picture. This picture means so much more than usual given what they have gone through as a family this year. I hope Catherine has a wonderful day filled with love and joy.’  

A third royal shared in the joy, writing: ‘Happy Mother’s Day to the Princess of Wales. Nice to see your recovery.’

A fourth said: ‘Thank you for this photo. Wishing Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales a Happy Mother’s Day, get well soon.’