Kate Middleton climbed Britain’s three highest peaks within 24 hours in June to support a cancer charity; four months later, she shared an unseen photo with William, their three children and mountain rescuers
Kate Middleton, on Sunday, shared a new family photograph from a mountain climbing challenge she completed four months ago to support a cancer charity. The Princess of Wales’s Instagram post shows her with her husband, Prince William, their three children, and mountain rescue volunteers who were present during the event. Kate shared the photograph to mark Mountain Rescue Awareness Day and thank the people who help keep walkers and climbers safe.In the photograph, Kate, 44, and William, also 44, are standing outdoors with Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8. According to Town & Country magazine, the picture was taken at the base of Snowdon, also known as Yr Wyddfa in Welsh, during the weekend of June 27–28. Members of a local mountain rescue team are also seen with the family, along with a golden retriever wearing a red coat.The Princess had shared other family pictures from the challenge in July, but this photograph had not been made public until now. The June challenge was particularly important to Kate because she had undergone cancer treatment.
Kate’s mountain challenge and her cancer remission
In January 2025, Kate announced that her cancer was in remission. A few months later, she decided to take part in the climbing challenge to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. According to Town & Country magazine, the charity supports the hospital where she received cancer treatment in 2024.In late June, Kate took on the task of climbing three of Britain’s highest mountains in just 24 hours. The route included Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales. Together, they make up the National Three Peaks Challenge.On July 5, a few days after completing the challenge, she shared photographs showing her with William and their children. In those pictures, she could be seen embracing her family after finishing the climbs.Along with the photographs, Kate spoke about why she had chosen to take part. She explained that the challenge was “not simply a physical endeavor”, but also a “chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back.”In September, Kate also hosted a small tea party at Windsor Castle for other people who had taken part in the Three Peaks Challenge and their families. According to Town & Country magazine, she spoke about the participants’ experiences in a social media statement following the gathering. She said their stories showed how important it was to have support from others during recovery.“Behind every summit was a personal story of resilience, determination and hope,” Kate said in her statement. She also spoke about how listening to the participants had reminded her that recovery was rarely something people went through alone.
Kate thanks volunteers who help people in the mountains
In her October 25 Instagram post, Kate spoke about the people who volunteer to help walkers and climbers when they need assistance in the mountains.She said that she and William had seen the dedication of these teams through their association with the organisation. She also praised the care and professionalism with which the volunteers carry out their work.Kate recalled meeting local rescue teams during the Three Peaks Challenge in June. She said the experience gave her an opportunity to thank them personally for helping people stay safe throughout the year.“Meeting local mountain rescue teams during the Three Peaks Challenge this summer was an opportunity to say thank you in person for the vital role they play in keeping walkers and climbers safe on the mountains all year round,” she wrote.The Princess also said she was “incredibly proud to support the extraordinary volunteers” and expressed her appreciation for their courage and service.Although Kate shared the photograph, the message came from both her and William. The couple signed the post together, thanking the rescue teams for the work they continue to do.
Why Kate and William shared the photograph in October
The timing of the post was linked to Mountain Rescue Awareness Day, which is observed during the final week of October in Britain.This is also the period when clocks go back in the UK and evenings start getting darker earlier. According to Mountain Rescue England and Wales, the awareness day reminds people to take care when visiting mountainous areas, particularly as daylight hours become shorter.The organisation has a longstanding connection with Prince William. He became its patron in 2007 and has held the role for nearly two decades.
