The Princess of Wales has completed the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and draw attention to the wider support needed by people living with cancer.
Kate climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, in Wales. The challenge involves reaching the highest peaks in all three countries within 24 hours and is considered one of Britain’s toughest outdoor endurance events.
The trek carried personal significance for the princess, who received cancer treatment at The Royal Marsden. She announced in January 2025 that she was in remission after previously completing chemotherapy. Her latest initiative is intended to support the hospital’s charity and promote care that addresses the broader effects of serious illness.
While explaining the purpose of the challenge, Kate wrote, “Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare.”
She added, “Holistic therapies complement clinical pathways and support patients’ ability to maintain their wellbeing, resilience and quality of life during an exceptionally difficult time.”
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity describes the campaign as an effort to help patients live well during treatment and beyond it. In this context, holistic care refers to services that accompany clinical treatment and address patients’ emotional, psychological and physical needs. It does not mean replacing evidence-based medical care.
Kate’s comments have also prompted comparisons with King Charles’ longstanding interest in complementary and alternative medicine. However, the two subjects are not necessarily the same. Supportive cancer services offered alongside conventional treatment should be distinguished from treatments such as homeopathy, which lacks reliable scientific evidence of effectiveness.
Edzard Ernst, an academic known for examining complementary and alternative medicine, previously said the King “takes a great interest in [alternative medicine].”
He told The Scientist in 2022 that the monarch “wants to use – as much as possible – alternative medicine in the NHS nationally and in medicine globally.”
Charles has previously supported organisations connected with homeopathy and other alternative approaches, although his position as monarch limits his ability to intervene directly in government health policy. The Scientist reported that he had promoted some treatments that are not supported by strong scientific evidence.
Kate’s campaign, by contrast, is being presented as support for care offered alongside medical treatment rather than as an alternative to it.
The Princess of Wales serves as joint patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Her Three Peaks effort is expected to encourage donations toward services designed to improve patients’ quality of life during and after treatment.