The Princess of Wales welcomed fellow Three Peaks Challenge fundraisers and their families to Windsor Castle last week, describing the gathering as a “powerful reminder” that “recovery is rarely a journey we make alone”.
Kate, 44, took on the gruelling trek across the UK’s highest mountains in June to raise money for the Royal Marsden Hospital in central London. The future queen received cancer treatment there before announcing in January 2025 that she was in remission.
A video from the Windsor Castle tea party was shared on the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales today. In her message, Kate highlighted the “importance of the people who walk alongside us” during difficult times.
She wrote: “It was a pleasure to welcome other Three Peaks Challenge participants and their families to Windsor Castle.
“Behind every summit was a personal story of resilience, determination and hope. Listening to their experiences of the challenge and their reasons for taking it on was a powerful reminder that recovery is rarely a journey we make alone, and of the importance of the people who walk alongside us along the way.”
Among those attending was 11-year-old paraplegic Ted Haslam, whom the Princess met on Ben Nevis in Scotland. Ted was pushed and carried up the mountain by 15 friends and relatives, including his father, Pete.
Nine-year-old Albie-Junior Thomas was also invited after becoming the youngest amputee to complete the Three Peaks Challenge in August. He was born without a fibula and had his foot amputated as a toddler while raising money for his local football club.
Other guests included Sean McCormick, who undertook the challenge to raise funds for a friend’s nephew after he was diagnosed with cancer, and Trish Patterson.
The Princess of Wales hosted a tea party at Windsor Castle for fellow Three Peaks Challenge participants
Ms Patterson became the fastest woman to complete the demanding challenge of climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales on foot, achieving the feat a few days after Kate’s expedition.
The 41-year-old mother from Hythe, Hampshire, ran between the climbs and lowered the existing record by nine hours, completing the challenge in a total time of five days and 21 hours.
During her own adventure, the Princess met schoolboy Ted, who was raising money for Molly Olly’s Wishes, a charity supporting children with serious illnesses.
Kate later donated to Ted’s campaign through JustGiving, writing: “One of the real highlights of the Three Peaks Challenge was meeting inspiring people like you along the way.
“Huge congratulations to Ted, Pete and the entire team for raising money for such a wonderful cause.”
During a recent visit to the Royal Marsden in London, the future queen learned how the funds she raised will help create a new specialist centre for Holistic Wellbeing.
Hospital chairman Sir Douglas Flint thanked Kate for her fundraising efforts. The Princess modestly replied that it was her way of “giving back” for the “incredible” care she received during her own cancer journey.
The future Queen heard stories of “resilience” from participants who took on the Three Peaks Challenge
Ted Haslam, right, met the Princess after completing the challenge in June, while Albie-Junior became the youngest amputee to conquer the three peaks in August
The Princess speaks with Albie-Junior, who was born without a fibula and had his foot amputated as a toddler
A video from last week’s royal tea party was shared on the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales this morning
She smiled and said: ‘This was my small way of being able to give back and say thank you to you. I had incredible care here and support from a huge team and I’m really really grateful on a personal level.
‘But also the holistic care, the treatments and therapeutic support alongside the clinical pathway is so important. It makes a big difference.
‘The impact of nature, the impact of good nutrition, good ongoing support around you when it’s really difficult to manage the trials and tribulations of medical treatments… it makes a big difference.
‘It made a big difference to me and it made a huge difference to lots of patients who I’ve spoken to. Thank you and well done. I think it will be transformative not only for patients but for families too.’
The future queen secretly undertook the gruelling physical charity climb back in June, with her proud family meeting her at the last stop at the base of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. She had also scaled Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike.
The Three Peaks Challenge sees participants attempt to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa in Wales within 24 hours.
It has a total walking distance of 23 miles (37km), an ascent of 3,064m (10,052ft) of vertical climbing and a driving distance between the peaks of approximately 462 miles.
A picture released by Kensington Palace showed Catherine beaming with delight at the summit of Ben Nevis, dressed in cold weather walking gear.
In a personally penned message, the Princess – who was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer following major abdominal surgery and underwent gruelling chemotherapy, finally revealing she was in remission a year later – 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 Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life-changing for so many people.’
Kate (centre, wearing a baseball cap) poses for a group photo next to Ted during the Ben Nevis climb
The royal carried out the challenge solo, supported en route by Mountain Rescue, and was greeted at the end by William, her children George, Charlotte and Louis
The Princess’ brother James Middleton (right) and their parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, were also waiting to celebrate with Kate after the challenge
Kate giving her daughter, Princess Charlotte, a big hug
The princess said she was keen to raise awareness for the ‘deeper impact of serious illness’ and, particularly, the importance of holistic healthcare, which she says complements clinical pathways and ‘support patients’ ability to maintain their wellbeing, resilience and quality of life during an exceptionally difficult time’.
She is keen to enable more people nationwide to access the kind of personalised support ‘that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment’.
‘Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong. It is about finding balance in how we live,’ she said.
‘Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported. Please know you are not alone’.
The royal carried out the challenge solo, supported en route by Mountain Rescue, and was greeted at the end by William, her children George, Charlotte and Louis, her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and brother James.
