Catherine, Princess of Wales, climbed the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales. (Photo: Instagram/Prince and Princess of Wales)
Over the weekend, Britain’s Princess Catherine became the first member of the British royal family to climb the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales to raise money for the Royal Marsden cancer charity in Britain.
This organization raises money for the Royal Marsden Hospital, a world-renowned cancer center in the United Kingdom, and helps to fund research, modern medical equipment and holistic patient care.
Kate, as she is popularly known, revealed in a social media video posted late on Sunday evening that she completed the climb – known as the Three Peaks Challenge in Britain – “to give something back”.
The 43-year-old mother of three announced in September 2024 that she had completed chemotherapy for an unspecified cancer. She gradually resumed her royal duties last year, after being out of the limelight in 2024. Her cancer has been officially in remission since January 2025.
“I’m so grateful to be here and to be strong enough to climb these hills, but more importantly, grateful to give something back and really recognize all the incredible work that’s being done in this country,” she said in the video.
The Three Peaks Challenge is considered one of Britain’s toughest endurance events, with only 40% of climbers completing it in the traditional 24-hour time limit. This involves a total walking distance of 37 km and an overall climb of 3,064 metres.
The princess started on Saturday and climbed Scotland’s Ben Nevis peak, England’s Scafell Pike and Wales’ Snowdon mountain by Sunday. Her husband, the British heir to the throne Prince William, her children, Prince George (12) and Louis (8) and Princess Charlotte (11), as well as her parents and brother, were apparently waiting for the princess in Wales.
Kate wrote in another social media post, which was taken with a photo of her at one of the misty mountain peaks, that she saw the challenge not only as a physical effort, but also as a chance to explore life after her cancer diagnosis.
“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 medication alone.
“Therefore, through this challenge, I want to create awareness for the deeper impact of serious diseases, as well as the importance of holistic health care.”
It is not yet known how much money the princess’s climb has raised so far.
Harry and Meghan’s ‘UK reconciliation visit’ hampered
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex’s plan to bring his family to the UK for the first time in four years may be derailed after the British government again rejected his request to be protected by the police.
According to the BBC, the Duke, his wife, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (5), would apparently visit the UK in July and stay in a royal residence at the invitation of King Charles.
Maroela Media previously reported that Prince Harry and his family, who currently live in California in the USA, after they finally renounced their royal duties in 2019, lost the right to police protection, for which British taxpayers have to pay. They only have access to this protection on royal premises, such as Buckingham Palace.
The Duke has since been in court against the government, arguing that his private security team in the US does not have sufficient jurisdiction or access to Britain’s intelligence to secure his family. His security team is also prohibited from providing armed protection to the family in terms of British firearms legislation.
Although this court application failed, his application for a risk assessment of his current security arrangements – which also does not allow him to pay for armed police security out of his own pocket in the UK – was investigated again earlier this year by the executive committee for the protection of royalty and public figures, known as Ravec.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children in 2025. (Photo: Instagram/Meghan Markle)
An official review found that Prince Harry may indeed meet the criteria for inclusion in the taxpayer-funded security cover and that his visits and security needs can be looked at on an individual basis.
However, Ravec’s final findings and rulings have not yet been made public.
Prince Harry’s trip is linked to the Invictus Games, the sporting event he founded in 2014 for wounded military veterans. This event will take place in July 2027 in Birmingham, UK.
Royal experts say the family visit was also a sign of possible reconciliation between the Duke and his estranged family.
A source close to Prince Harry said on Sunday The Guardian said the prince was apparently “upset” about the developments surrounding police protection and said he did not want to expose his children to “chases by paparazzi”.
The Duke is said to be exploring various options to make the trip possible, but believes it cannot be done without proper security arrangements.
- Bronne: AFP, BBC, The Guardian