Kate says nature is family's 'sanctuary' in Mother's Day message

The Princess of Wales has said nature has been her family's "sanctuary" over the past year, in a special message for Mother's Day.

Writing on Instagram, Catherine shared her wish to celebrate Mother Nature and the importance of "our bond with the natural world".

A video posted alongside her message mainly features footage of different natural environments across the UK, as well as some shots of her hand touching a tree and of William walking dogs in Norfolk last summer.

Kate 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," she said.

The princess announced in January she was in remission after completing a course of preventative chemotherapy after her cancer diagnosis.

In messages shared over the past 12 months, she has frequently reflected on the comfort the natural world has brought her.

She has made a gradual return to public duties since completing treatment last summer.

Last year the princess faced scrutiny over her Mother's Day message, which included a photo of her and her children, after questions were raised that the image may have been manipulated and five agencies retracted it over editing concerns that day.

That image, said to have been taken by the Prince of Wales, was the first of Catherine since her abdominal surgery two months previously.

Kate publicly took the blame and issued a personal apology.