Princess Kate impressed royal watchers on Sunday when she took to social media to share that she had completed the Three Peaks Challenge, walking 23 miles, climbing 3,064 metres and travelling 462 miles between locations in England, Scotland and Wales.
The future Queen undertook the impressive feat to support the Royal Marsden, the hospital where she received her treatment, but she openly shared that she wanted to test herself, too.
“I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back,” the royal wrote on social media.
She added in a video: “Lots of people have asked me why I’m doing this challenge, and partly, it’s personal. I’m so grateful to be here, to be strong enough to walk these hills.” Watch the clip below…
Princess Kate’s fitness-fuelled life
The Princess of Wales is famed for her love of exercise and the outdoors, frequently throwing herself into sports during public engagements, and while she had to take a break from her reportedly rigorous routine during her cancer treatment, the active outdoor life was something she grew up with.
Princess Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, shared that as a family, the Middletons have a penchant for gruelling challenges, sharing in 2023 that they love to hike together, meaning the Three Peaks is not her sister’s first rodeo!
“My parents inspired my love for walking in the mountains, and both joined my brother and me to the first hut when we climbed Mont Blanc,” Pippa shared, before adding that Princess Kate had tackled the summit too. “My father summited it with my sister a few years before.”
Family support for the Princess of Wales
Princess Kate’s family were all there to support her, following her weekend of scaling the peaks, with the royal greeted at the bottom of Yr Wyddfa by Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as well as her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and her brother James.
James even sent his support on social media, writing: “So proud,” while King Charles and Queen Camilla sent their congratulations too, via The Royal Family’s social media account.
Challenges after cancer
Princess Kate’s Three Peaks Challenge is a huge undertaking for anyone who takes part, let alone someone who only recently underwent cancer treatment, but testing oneself is an important part of recovery for many people diagnosed with the disease, including Jackie Scully, who since being diagnosed has run multiple half marathons, two marathons (one on her wedding day), trekked the Great Wall of China, run a 34-mile ultramarathon, walked 66 miles around the Isle of Wight, completed a half Ironman and climbed a few mountains for good measure.
She began her post-treatment challenges with a 10k, explaining: “When I did my first 10k, I thought it would be my longest race – and my last. The event took place a week before my final chemotherapy treatment, and with a close friend by my side, I’d never felt more alive.”
On the vast array of challenges she’s thrown herself into, Jackie says: “To move forward, I realised I needed to get up, get outside and get going. Every time I pushed myself to the limit, I found out I was capable of more than I ever thought possible and you certainly find out how strong you are when being strong is your only choice.
“I’ve not found my limit yet. What I have found is that it’s only when you shoot for the impossible that you find out what is actually possible. And you can go a really long way with the right people by your side.”
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