The donation is part of a broader initiative supporting the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

The Princess of Wales has donated a rose bearing her name to the mother and baby unit at HMP Styal, commemorating the first anniversary of her visit to the Cheshire women’s prison.

Action for Children, the charity the Princess of Wales serves as patron, confirmed that “Catherine’s Rose” was planted at the facility on Wednesday.

The gift forms part of Catherine’s fundraising efforts for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where she received treatment in 2024 before entering remission.

During her tour of the unit last February, the mother-of-three had discussed the possibility of presenting the rose, which was still being developed at that time, as a contribution to the outdoor space.

Princess of Wales makes sweet donation to mother and baby unit at women’s prison

 | PA / ACTION FOR CHILDREN

The rose was placed in its new home beside the unit’s pond by a mother and child who had met Catherine during her visit last February, alongside staff from the charity.

Action for Children operates the mother and baby service at the prison.

The floribunda variety, developed by Harkness Roses, will bloom in coral-pink shades once established.

The Royal Horticultural Society bestowed Catherine’s name upon the rose last May.

Action for Children staff member helping two children plant Catherine’s rose

 | ACTION FOR CHILDREN

The charity explained that the princess had raised the idea of gifting the rose to the outdoor area while touring the facility, at a time when the flower was still in development.

The rose donation is part of a broader initiative supporting the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which treated the future queen for cancer in 2024 before she achieved remission.

Five hundred Catherine’s Rose plants have been distributed to green spaces and wellbeing gardens throughout the United Kingdom as part of this fundraising effort.

Several of the princess’s patronages have received the roses, with the cancer charity also benefiting from proceeds generated through sales of the flower.

The Princess of Wales visiting HMP Styal in February 2025

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PA

Catherine’s Rose in honour of Catherine, Princess of Wales on display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2025

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GETTY

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity coordinated the distribution of the plants to various locations across the country, ensuring the roses would enhance therapeutic and community gardens nationwide.

Amanda Taylor, operational director of children’s services at Action for Children, expressed her appreciation for the gift.

“We were delighted to plant ‘Catherine’s Rose’ at HMP Styal, one year on from the princess’s visit,” she said.

“The prison pond and gardens are of huge value to the mothers and babies here, providing children with space to enjoy nature and explore the outdoors, and this new addition will be treasured both by the families we support and staff alike.”

Ms Taylor added: “I would like to thank the Princess of Wales for her kind donation.”