Catherine, Princess of Wales, 44, has completed the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest peaks in three regions of mainland Britain in a single day, Kensington Palace announced Saturday. The challenge came after she returned to official duties following the completion of her cancer treatment.
According to Kensington Palace, the princess took part in the climb to support the Royal Marsden Foundation, which operates the cancer specialist hospital where she was treated and which she personally serves as a patron. The challenge involved climbing Scotland's Ben Nevis (1,345m), England's Scafell Pike (978m), and Wales' Snowdon (1,085m) in succession within 24 hours. The walking distance alone reached 37 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of 3,064 meters. The 743-kilometer route connecting the peaks was covered by vehicle.
The princess, the eldest daughter-in-law of King Charles III, was diagnosed with cancer immediately after undergoing abdominal surgery in January 2024, and disclosed the end of her chemotherapy treatment in September of that year. In January last year, she announced that she had entered "remission," a stage in which the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared.
"Cancer does not just touch the body, it changes thoughts and emotions and penetrates deeply into every area of life," the princess said. "Having experienced it myself, I know that the treatment and the recovery process afterward require more than medical care." She added, "I hope this challenge helps more people realize the weight that serious illness leaves behind, and the value of holistic care that integrates the physical, emotional, and social dimensions of the body."
Her husband, Prince William, and the princess are considered the most popular figures in the British royal family, vying for the top spots in various polls with approval ratings of 75 to 80 percent.
