Princess Kate conquers UK’s three highest peaks to champion cancer care after her own diagnosis (VIDEO)

LONDON, June 29 — Catherine, Princess of Wales, has completed the UK’s gruelling Three Peaks Challenge in support of the hospital where she received cancer treatment.

According to the BBC, the princess climbed the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales over the weekend to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, saying the challenge was an opportunity to “explore life beyond diagnosis” and give back to the hospital that supported her through treatment.

Kate revealed in 2024 that she was undergoing treatment for cancer before announcing earlier this year that she was in remission. She has since gradually returned to public duties.

In a message shared on social media yesterday alongside a photograph of herself at the summit of Ben Nevis, the princess reflected on how cancer affects far more than physical health.

“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.”

She said the challenge was intended to highlight the wider emotional and psychological impact of serious illness while supporting a more comprehensive approach to patient care.

“Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare,” she said.

“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.”

According to the BBC, the Royal Marsden Hospital describes holistic care as supporting a patient’s physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing alongside conventional medical treatment.

The Three Peaks Challenge saw the princess climb Scafell Pike in England, Ben Nevis in Scotland and Snowdon, also known by its Welsh name Yr Wyddfa, before completing the trek in Wales, where she was greeted by members of her family, including Prince William, their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as well as her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and her brother James.

When Kate announced her cancer diagnosis last year, she described it as a “huge shock” following what she called an “incredibly tough couple of months”. Kensington Palace has never disclosed the type of cancer she was treated for, but said at the time it was confident she would make a full recovery.

The fundraising campaign launched by the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity aims to expand access to holistic services for cancer patients, helping more people benefit from care that complements clinical treatment.

Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Dame Cally Palmer said the hospital was honoured to have the Prince and Princess of Wales as its joint patrons and thanked the princess for her support.

She said Kate’s commitment stemmed from “a deep empathy for those facing similar challenges” and that the fundraising effort would make a meaningful difference to cancer patients and their families. 

According to the BBC, the charity hopes the campaign will help more people access holistic care during and after treatment.