The Princess of Wales was cheered on by her family as she completed the Three Peaks Challenge to raise awareness of life beyond a cancer diagnosis, plus funds for The Royal Marsden, the hospital where she received her treatment.
Kate climbed the UK’s three highest mountains – Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales – over 24 hours this weekend.
She undertook the challenge solo, with support along the route from Mountain Rescue and was 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.
The endurance event saw the Princess walk 23 miles, climb 3,064 and travel 462 miles between locations. She was driven from Scotland to England and on to Wales by a team from Kensington Palace..
In a photograph shared on social media, she is pictured smiling broadly in a baseball cap and raincoat at the summit of Ben Nevis on the evening of June 27.
She said: “Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear. What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.
“Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone.
“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 Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life changing for so many people.
The Princess continued: “Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare. Every individual is different, and ensuring there is a whole person approach to care enables those living through cancer to manage the deeply personal challenge of diagnosis. Holistic therapies complement clinical pathways and support patients’ ability to maintain their wellbeing, resilience and quality of life during an exceptionally difficult time.
© Kensington Palace“We have an opportunity to reshape what the future of holistic cancer care looks like, enabling more people, nationwide, to access the kind of personalised support that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment.”
Ahead of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s launch of a specially designed fundraising page for public donations to support more people with cancer to access holistic care, she added: “This challenge will support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, helping to transform access to, and understanding of, holistic care that will enhance recovery and healing for patients across the UK.
“Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong. It is about finding balance in how we live. Between effort and acceptance, between control and trust, between thinking and simply being. Because in the end, bravery isn’t just about pushing forward. It is about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, no matter the terrain, or landscape you are walking through.
© Getty Images“Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported. Please know you are not alone. C.”
Funds raised will also support research into how holistic care can best work alongside clinical cancer treatments and create a blueprint for change, so this additional care becomes a standard part of cancer treatment nationally.
Holistic care includes psychological and spiritual support, physical activity, nutrition, complementary approaches and time spent in nature, which all play a critical role in enhancing recovery and helping patients to tolerate their treatment.
© Getty ImagesThe therapies also give patients tools to manage fatigue, anxiety and the long-term effects of treatment, giving them more control and confidence and better equipping them for life beyond their diagnosis.
William and Kate became joint patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in January 2025. The Prince has served as its President since 2007.
Chief Executive Dame Cally Palmer said: “The Princess’s commitment to The Royal Marsden stems from a deep empathy for those facing similar challenges, and we are immensely grateful for this generous support that will make a difference to the lives of so many cancer patients and their families.”
A link to donate to can be found here.
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