Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has released a rare personal statement about her cancer journey after completing the National Three Peaks Challenge.
She shared the message on social media after finishing the endurance event, which requires climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales within 24 hours.
The 44-year-old completed the challenge on her own, with support from Mountain Rescue along the route. At the finish, she was met by members of her family in Wales.
Waiting for her were Prince William, their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis—along with her parents and her brother, James Middleton.
In her statement, the Princess wrote that every year hundreds of thousands of people in the UK hear a life-changing cancer diagnosis, describing it as a journey that affects every part of life—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
She said the impact doesn’t stop with the individual, but spreads through families, friendships, work, and private moments. “Cancer doesn’t just affect the body,” she said, adding that it can reshape how people think, feel, and live day to day.
Catherine explained that her own experience has shown her how recovery and treatment require more than medicine alone. She said taking on the Three Peaks challenge was not only a physical test but also a way to reflect on life after diagnosis and give something back.
She highlighted The Royal Marsden as a place of special meaning for her, praising its care and expertise which she said changes lives.
Explaining her motivation, she said she wanted to raise awareness of the wider impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic care. She stressed that every patient is different and that a whole-person approach can help people cope better with diagnosis and recovery.
She added that holistic therapies can support medical treatment by improving wellbeing, resilience, and quality of life during difficult times, and said there is an opportunity to improve and expand access to this kind of care across the country.
The challenge is supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which is raising funds to improve understanding and access to holistic care for cancer patients across the UK.
In a video message shared online, she said many people had asked why she took on the challenge, explaining it was partly personal and partly about giving back.
She said she felt grateful to be well enough to complete it, and wanted to recognise the work of healthcare staff and charities supporting people living with cancer.
Catherine also reflected on meeting people going through similar experiences, saying she understands how difficult the journey can be and wanted to support efforts that make it easier for others.
She was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2024 and began preventive chemotherapy soon after. By September, she confirmed she had completed treatment, later saying the period had been extremely difficult for her and her family.
In January 2025, she announced she was in remission, thanking medical staff and saying she remained focused on recovery.
Her latest challenge continues her public focus on cancer awareness and recovery, using her platform to highlight patient care and support services.
