James Middleton was spotted lending a helping hand to his sister, the Princess of Wales, as she made her way down to the foot of Mount Snowdon in a touching video captured by a fellow hiker who had also taken on the Three Peaks Challenge.
Catherine, 44, recently completed the demanding endurance feat, climbing three of the UK’s highest mountains in 24 hours as part of her effort to raise awareness about life during and after cancer.
Although the Princess undertook the challenge on her own, her younger brother was there to accompany her to the base of the Welsh mountain, in footage filmed by entrepreneur Phillip Tebajjwa.
In the clip, Kate is seen smiling broadly in red shorts, hiking boots and a grey cap, holding James’s hand as her iconic sapphire engagement ring glints in the light.
The sibling moment resonated deeply with royal watchers, many of whom remembered that Catherine had once joined James at therapy sessions while he was receiving treatment for severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
In a previous interview with Mail columnist Bryony Gordon, the youngest Middleton sibling said his therapist had encouraged him to invite relatives to his sessions, but he only felt at ease bringing his older sisters, Catherine and Pippa.
James has described his sisters’ involvement in his recovery as a “very moving moment” — a sentiment some users on X said was echoed by his supportive presence beside Catherine at Mount Snowdon over the weekend.
“James has truly always been there for her like a fierce and proud brother,” one person wrote, while another said it was “lovely” to witness the close bond between the siblings.
James Middleton can be seen helping his sister, the Princess of Wales , down to the base of Mount Snowdon in a heartwarming video filmed by a hiker who also completed the Three Peaks Challenge
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
Phillip, who shared the video of the future Queen and James on Instagram, said he thought he was ‘dreaming’ when he realised the climber was a member of the Royal Family.
‘There I was congratulating fellow climbers as they made their way down from the windy summit…little did I know I was actually speaking to royalty,’ he captioned the Instagram Reel.
He also shared a sweet photograph of himself and the Princess after they completed the Three Peaks Challenge, as Phillip wrote: ‘At that moment, I could only think one thing, am I actually dreaming?’
It comes after James shared his support for the future Queen on social media, writing he was ‘so proud’ under Catherine’s Instagram clip about her experience.
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Further reacting to a photo of the Princess beaming with delight after completing the challenge, James discreetly left two emojis – a mountain and a heart – under the portrait.
It appeared to be a reminder of the royal’s own strength, over two years after Catherine announced she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment after undergoing planned abdominal surgery.
At the time, James – who is an avid hiker himself – shared a touching message of support for Catherine on his Instagram profile.
Alongside a childhood photo of the pair during a hiking trip, he wrote: ‘Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.’
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, with entrepreneur Phillip Tebajjwa after the Three Peaks Challenge
After Catherine revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, James shared a touching message of support alongside a childhood photo of the pair
Although he did not use any words in his second comment, the simple message appeared to be James’s way of affirming that he will stand by her through thick and thin.
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.
In completing the challenge, Kate trekked for 23 miles, with a total ascent of more than 10,000 feet, and a driving distance of 462 miles between locations.
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.
She did the challenge solo and was supported on the route by Mountain Rescue, with her family, including her parents Carole and Michael Middleton, meeting her at the last stop at the base of Snowdon in Wales.
On Sunday, the mother-of-three took to Instagram to share why she felt motivated to complete the gruelling physical challenge, explaining it felt like an opportunity to ‘raise awareness’ and spread her deeply personal message about life during and after cancer.
The princess wrote: ‘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 Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life-changing for so many people.
