The Princess of Wales has paid a heartfelt tribute to her family and friends after finishing the demanding Three Peaks Challenge, using the achievement to amplify her deeply personal message about cancer.
In an emotional update shared on Instagram, Catherine, 44, appeared relaxed and outdoors-ready in red shorts and a baseball cap as she posed alongside some of the people closest to her.
Alongside the photographs, she wrote: ‘This time last week, completing the National Three Peaks Challenge. A huge thank you to everybody who has supported The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.’
Her three children were also there to cheer her on, with Charlotte, George and Louis each dressed practically in blue jeans as they beamed for the camera.
One particularly tender photograph showed Kate wrapping her arms around Charlotte, who nestled closely into her mother as the Princess rested her cheek against her daughter’s head.
Another sweet moment captured Charlotte reaching for her mother’s hand, while the youngest royal, Louis, was visible in the background playing with a dog named James.
Kate kept her look practical for the challenge, wearing her hair pulled back into a ponytail and pairing sturdy brown walking boots with thick red socks that matched her shorts.
The Princess completed the challenge on her own, with Mountain Rescue supporting her along the route, before her family joined her at the final stop at the foot of Snowdon in Wales.
The Princess of Wales has shared a sweet tribute to her family and friends after she completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge in a bid to spread her deeply personal message about cancer
Kate, 44, is seen embracing her daughter Charlotte
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 Charlotte’s head
It has a total walking distance of 23 miles (37 kilometres), 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.
In a personally penned message, the 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.’
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; Scarfell Pike, the highest peak in England, standing at 3,209ft and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the highest peak in Wales, standing at 3,560ft.
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.
She is seen here hugging William
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
‘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 Pewas 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.’
Kate chose to hide the exact amount, but the Daily Mail understands it was in the region of £1,000 to £2,000.
