Princess Kate climbs Britain's three highest peaks within 24 hours for cancer patients

Princess Kate began her attempt on Saturday evening and completed each of the three ascents alone, accompanied along the route by mountain rescue teams. On Instagram she shared a photo from the summit of Ben Nevis, showing her laughing on Saturday evening in a functional jacket and hiking gear. Kensington Palace later confirmed that Kate is the first member of the royal family to have completed the challenge.

Reception at the foot of Snowdon

At the finish at the foot of Snowdon she was welcomed, according to those close to the event, by Prince William (44) as well as their shared children Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (11) and Prince Louis (8). Her parents Carole (71) and Michael Middleton (77) as well as her brother James Middleton (39) were also reportedly present.

Background: Kate's own diagnosis

The background to the event is Kate's own cancer diagnosis. She received the diagnosis in early 2024; in March 2024 she publicly disclosed the illness in an emotional video. She subsequently underwent chemotherapy, which has now been completed. In January 2025 she announced that she was in remission. The precise nature of her cancer has not been made public.

Fundraising goal: holistic recovery

The hike serves to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the clinic in Chelsea in the west of London where Kate herself was treated. The organisation collects donations for cancer patients. A dedicated fundraising page has been set up at royalmarsden.org/princessofwales to finance a new centre for holistic wellbeing and recovery. The donations are intended to give more patients access to care that complements clinical treatments.

Kate wrote on Instagram about her motivation: "Ich habe mich der 'National Three Peaks Challenge' gestellt – nicht nur als körperliche Herausforderung, sondern auch als Gelegenheit, das Leben jenseits der Diagnose zu erkunden und etwas zurückzugeben." In a short video she added: "Viele Menschen haben mich gefragt, warum ich diese Herausforderung mache - und zum Teil ist es persönlich. Ich bin so dankbar, hier zu sein, stark genug zu sein, um diese Hügel zu erwandern." She said she wanted to give something back and honour the work being carried out across the country for those affected.

Message to those affected

In a further Instagram post she addressed patients directly: "Bitte seien Sie sich bewusst, dass Sie nicht allein sind." She also wrote that cancer does not only affect the body: "Krebs betrifft nicht nur den Körper. Er verändert, wie man denkt und fühlt, und beeinflusst jeden Aspekt des Lebens." The illness touches "Familien, Freundschaften, die Arbeit und die stillen Momente, die wir allein mit unseren Gedanken verbringen." The path through treatment and beyond requires more than just medicine – she knew this from her own experience.

In a written statement Kate wrote that every year "Hunderttausende Menschen in diesem Land die Worte, die niemand hören möchte." What follows a cancer diagnosis, she said, is a journey that tests every part of a person – physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.