The Princess of Wales hugged her family at the foot of Snowdon after completing an endurance feat that has become a staple of British fundraising: the National Three Peaks Challenge.
The challenge involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales – Ben Nevis (1,345m), Scafell Pike (978m), and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon, 1,085m) – within 24 hours. Participants typically start in Scotland, move to England, and finish in Wales, with travel time included in the clock. Kate undertook the challenge solo, supported by Mountain Rescue, and completed it last weekend (as of early July 2026). She was raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, a hospital that treated her after she was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024. Kate underwent chemotherapy and announced she was in remission in January 2025. The future queen’s expedition was believed to be a royal first – no other member of the royal family has completed the Three Peaks Challenge.
“The Princess of Wales completed the National Three Peaks Challenge; here's what it involves and why it matters.”
Why do people take it on? The National Three Peaks is a popular fundraising event, often done by teams or individuals to support causes. It requires physical stamina and careful logistics: driving between the peaks takes about 10 hours, so climbers must pace themselves against the 24-hour deadline. Kate’s family – Prince William, their children George, Charlotte and Louis, her parents Carole and Michael Middleton, and brother James Middleton – greeted her at Snowdon. During the climb, she met 11-year-old Ted, a wheelchair user who was also tackling the challenge for the charity Molly Olly’s Wishes. Kate later donated to his JustGiving page, which had raised over £11,000.
For UK readers, the challenge is a familiar test of endurance and a fixture of charity calendars, but Kate’s involvement brings it wider attention. It also underscores the royals’ more informal, personal engagement with causes, and in this case, a personal connection to cancer support. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – which funds research and patient care – benefits from the publicity.
Q: How hard is the National Three Peaks Challenge? It is considered a demanding endurance event, requiring walking up and down roughly 23 miles (37 km) of steep terrain with a cumulative ascent of over 3,000 metres. The 24-hour time limit, including driving between the three peaks (about 500 miles total), makes it a test of fitness, navigation, and teamwork.
Q: Has any other member of the royal family done the Three Peaks Challenge? Kensington Palace said the princess is the first royal to complete it. While other royals have undertaken long treks or charity challenges – such as Prince William’s charity cycling or the late Queen’s sponsored walks – the National Three Peaks Challenge has not been attempted before by a working senior royal.
Q: Why did Kate choose to do this particular challenge? She wanted to “explore life beyond diagnosis” and raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which supported her through treatment. The challenge symbolises her recovery and aims to inspire others affected by cancer. She also said meeting people like Ted, whom she encountered on the route, was a highlight.
What happens next? Kate continues her gradual return to royal duties, having supported the King at state visits and undertaken a working trip to Italy in May 2025. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity will continue to receive donations via the link shared by the palace. Ted’s JustGiving page remains open, and his father Pete has described their encounter with the princess as an unforgettable boost to their fundraising efforts.