The Princess of Wales has shared a sweet tribute to her family after completing the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge – as her brother issued an emotional message about their shared ‘promise’ and the ‘healing power of nature’.
Catherine, 44, looked the part in a heartwarming post uploaded to Instagram as she was seen sporting a pair of red shorts and a baseball cap, surrounded by those closest to her.
She captioned the images: ‘This time last week, completing the National Three Peaks Challenge. A huge thank you to everybody who has supported The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.’
All three of her children were out in full force to show their support – with Charlotte, George and Louis each wearing their own practical pair of blue jeans as they smiled for the camera.
Also tagging along for parts of the hike was James Middleton, Kate’s younger brother who famously endured his own health difficulties after being treated for severe depression that left him contemplating suicide.
Posting to Instagram this evening, James said he was ‘so incredibly proud’ of his ‘darling sister’.
He added: ‘Two years ago, I told you we’d climb this mountain together. We talked about climbing mountains while you were in hospital, and about the incredible healing power that nature can have for both the body and the mind. So it was such an honour to join you for your Three Peaks Challenge for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
‘Seeing how far you’ve come is nothing short of inspiring. Your strength, resilience, and determination, all while being the most amazing mother, wife, daughter, and sister, inspire me and so many others every single day.
The Princess of Wales has shared a sweet tribute to her family after she completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge. They are all pictured here together
Posting to Instagram this evening, James said he was ‘so incredibly proud’ of his ‘darling sister’
In one touching image, Kate could be seen warmly embracing her daughter who snuggled up close to her while the princess leaned her cheek against her head
‘Keep being exactly who you are.’
In one touching image uploaded by Kate, the princess could be seen warmly embracing her daughter who snuggled up close to her while she leaned her cheek against her head.
In another, Charlotte reached towards her mother’s hand – meanwhile, the royal’s youngest child, Louis, was captured in the background playing with a dog belonging to James.
Kate’s hair was tied back into a practical pony tail and she wore a pair of sturdy brown hiking boots with thick red socks to match the colour of her shorts.
The princess did the challenge solo and was supported on the route by Mountain Rescue, with her family meeting her at the last stop at the base of Snowdon in Wales.
The Three Peaks Challenge sees participants attempt to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours: Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland and the UK, standing at 4,413ft; Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, standing at 3,209ft and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest peak in Wales, standing at 3,560ft.
It has a total walking distance of 23 miles, an ascent of 10,05ft of vertical climbing and a driving distance between the peaks of approximately 462 miles.
The princess was driven between the peaks – Scotland, then England and finally Wales – by her team. It is not believed that any other member of the Royal Family has completed the Three Peaks Challenge, also making the princess’s triumph a royal first.
William is seen here hugging his wife in a touching display of support – with the future king also donning a pair of dark blue jeans
Charlotte was seen reaching towards her mother’s hand – meanwhile, the royal’s youngest child, Louis, could be seen in the background playing with a dog belonging to the princess’s younger brother, James Middleton
Princess Kate places her hand on the shoulder of her eldest son while William looks on proudly
Kate looked the part as she clutched the hand of her youngest child after finishing the challenge
The princess is seen her with her three children who all wear similar outfits – blue jeans and dark tops
The whole family are gathered here together as they congratulate Kate on completing the gruelling challenge
In a previously penned message, Kate 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.’
In a video shot before she started the challenge, the princess explained why she took it on, saying that it was ‘partly personal’, explaining: ‘I’m so grateful to be here, to be strong enough to walk these hills.’
And she added: ‘But, more importantly, it’s to give something back and acknowledge, really, all the incredible work going on up and down this country.
‘I’ve met some incredible people – those people who are living with and beyond cancer – and I know personally how difficult that journey is.
‘I really wanted to use this opportunity as my way of contributing to all the wonderful work that’s going on, and in particular to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – an organisation very dear to me, but who do extraordinary work supporting those living with and beyond the disease.’
The princess also wants to use her challenge to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which is launching a specially designed fundraising page for people across the nation to donate.
The funds raised for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity will support more people with cancer to benefit from holistic care.
Last month, the princess made a private donation to support fundraising by an 11-year-old paraplegic boy she met while completing the challenge.
Kate chatted to Ted Haslam from Sutton Coldfield, whose father was among a team carrying him up Ben Nevis in a wheelchair before posing for a group photo.
And the future queen went one step further by personally visiting his JustGiving page and making a significant donation.
She wrote: ‘One of the real highlights of the Three Peaks Challenge was meeting inspiring people like you along the way. Huge congratulations to the entire team for raising money for such a wonderful cause. C.’
Catherine, 44, recently completed the gruelling endurance event, scaling three of the highest peaks in the UK within 24 hours, to spread her message about life during and after cancer
Kate chatted to Ted Haslam after he made it to the top of Ben Nevis with his team of helpers
Kate looks at the mascot on Ted’s wheelchair showing his support for the charity Molly Ollys
Kate (wearing baseball cap) poses for a group photo next to Ted during the Ben Nevis climb
Kate speaks to Ted and his team during her trip up Ben Nevis for the Three Peaks Challenge
Kate chose to hide the exact amount, but the Daily Mail understands it was in the region of £1,000 to £2,000.
After approaching Ted during the challenge, the princess joked it was ‘not great weather’, asking him: ‘How are you doing, Ted? You’re not too cold?’
Kate added: ‘So many people are stood in their T-shirts! Why are they doing that?! Who’s this, is that your lucky mascot? Has it got a name?’
One of Ted’s team explained that it was a mascot for the charity Molly Ollys, which provided play equipment for Ted while he was being treated in hospital.
Kate then asked the boy: ‘Have you been up here before?’ Ted replied: ‘Never, it’s my first time.’ And Kate said: ‘Well it’s such a shame you can’t see any of the views.’
She added: ‘I’m so impressed, really, you’ve made it to the second peak. Super, well done you. We’ll be cheering you on. Hopefully we’ll see you on Snowdon. Good luck.’
Ted’s team completed the challenge in 30 hours, as they raised money for the Warwick-based charity supporting children with life-threatening illnesses.
Ted, whose father is a mountaineer, was left paralysed aged three and diagnosed with an aggressive spinal tumour which had been doubling every 24 hours.
While she did the Three Peaks Challenge solo, Kate’s younger brother James Middleton sweetly escorted her to the base of the mountain in Wales.
The moment felt especially poignant as royal fans recalled how Catherine attended therapy appointments with James when he was being treated for severe depression that left him contemplating suicide.
Speaking to Mail columnist Bryony Gordon, the youngest Middleton sibling said that while his therapist encouraged him to bring his family to his sessions, he only felt comfortable taking his older sisters, Catherine and Pippa.
James described his sisters’ engagement in his recovery journey as a ‘very moving moment’ – much like the author’s presence alongside Catherine at Mount Snowdon over the weekend, X users said.
‘James has truly always been there for her like a fierce and proud brother,’ one person wrote, while another added it was ‘lovely’ to see the bond between the siblings.
Earlier this year, the princess of Wales celebrated her 44th birthday with the release of a ‘deeply personal’ video about the ‘fears’ and ‘tears’ of her cancer journey.
The three-minute clip, titled ‘Winter’, was the fourth and final instalment of Kate’s year-long ‘Mother Nature’ series, which began after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
While Kate has never publicly revealed the sort of cancer she was diagnosed with, the videos she has shared with millions of fans who follow her and husband Prince William are widely regarded as being honest reflections of her health battle.
In September 2024, Kate confirmed she had ‘finally’ completed her chemotherapy treatment.
She reflected on how the ‘complex, scary, and unpredictable’ journey had brought her ‘face-to-face with her own vulnerabilities’.
And on January 14, 2025, she carried out her first solo royal engagement of the year as she visited the Royal Marsden in London in her new role as Joint Patron before officially confirming she was in remission from cancer.
The visit was also note-worthy as Kate underwent her own treatment at the hospital and spoke candidly about her experience with one patient.
‘It’s really tough… It’s such a shock… Everyone said to me, “Please keep a positive mindset, it makes such a difference”.’
In a statement posted on social media, Kate said it was ‘a relief to be in remission’ and that she was ‘looking forward to a fulfilling year’.
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