The Princess of Wales has become the first member of the royal family to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge, raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Catherine, 44, climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours, starting on Saturday evening and covering 23 miles of walking with a total ascent of more than 10,000 feet, plus 462 miles of driving between the three summits.
She carried out the challenge solo, supported en route by Mountain Rescue teams, and was greeted at the finish by the Prince of Wales, her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, her parents Carole and Michael Middleton, and her brother James Middleton. Kensington Palace said the expedition is believed to be a royal first. Only about 40 per cent of participants complete the Three Peaks inside 24 hours, according to organisers, with the average strong walker requiring four to six hours per peak and roughly 11 to 13 hours remaining for travel.
In a message on social media, the Princess said she had taken on the challenge “not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back”. She spoke from direct experience: diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024 after major abdominal surgery in January of that year, she underwent six months of preventative – or adjuvant – chemotherapy starting in late February 2024. She completed that treatment in September 2024 and announced she was in remission on 14 January 2025, following a visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, where she was treated.
“Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear,” she wrote. “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.”
Holistic care at The Royal Marsden
Money raised through the challenge will be used to help more people with cancer benefit from holistic care, the charity confirmed. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – a registered charity (No. 1095197) that has supported cancer research, education and treatment since 1851 – has launched a dedicated fundraising page at royalmarsden.org/princessofwales.
Holistic care, as the Princess outlined in her statement, recognises that a serious illness affects every dimension of a person’s life. “The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life changing for so many people,” she said. “Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare.” At the Royal Marsden, this approach means integrating psychological support, mental health care, spiritual care, and family support alongside medical treatment. Research shows that anxiety and depression are common among cancer patients, and the charity funds services that address those emotional and psychological consequences – not just the disease itself.
The Princess has a long-standing commitment to mental health initiatives, including Heads Together and the Shout 85258 crisis text line, and her personal cancer journey has deepened that focus. During a visit to the Royal Marsden earlier this year, she spoke about her chemotherapy port, noting she “got so attached to it”. She and the Prince of Wales became joint patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in January 2025.
In her social media message, the Princess concluded: “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. 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.”
