The Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Friday to learn how funds raised by her recent Three Peaks Challenge are being utilized. Catherine, 44, who was treated at the hospital following her cancer diagnosis in 2024, met with staff and patients benefiting from holistic care and those currently undergoing treatment.
Catherine secretly undertook the Three Peaks Challenge in June, scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. She was supported by Mountain Rescue during the trek and met her family at the final stop. The princess described the challenge as her way of "giving back" for the "incredible care" she received during her own cancer journey.
"I had incredible care here and support from a huge team and I'm really really grateful on a personal level," Catherine said. "But also the holistic care, the treatments and therapeutic support on the outside is so important. It makes a big difference."
The funds raised will support the development of a new Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery, which aims to integrate physical, emotional, spiritual, and social support for cancer patients. The initiative will also fund research into complementary approaches to cancer care.
The Princess of Wales became Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust alongside Prince William in 2025. The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales within 24 hours, covering a total walking distance of 23 miles and an ascent of over 10,000 feet.
In a personal message released earlier, Catherine emphasized the importance of holistic care, stating, "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."
Her visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital followed a surprise appearance with Prince William at Everton's stadium earlier in the week to support the launch of his suicide prevention toolkit. The couple's joint appearance marked their first public event since their summer break and the return of Prince Harry and Meghan to the UK. The visit also came shortly after Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles's decision that Prince Harry and Meghan would not have a role as working royals.