“We talked about climbing mountains while you were in hospital,” James Middleton wrote on Instagram of completing a secret charity climb with his sister last month
Credit: princeandprincessofwales/Instagram; jmidy/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Kate Middleton completed the National Three Peaks Challenge late last month to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
- The challenge fulfilled a pact with her brother James Middleton made during her cancer treatment in 2024
- “Seeing how far you’ve come is nothing short of inspiring,” James wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday, July 5
Kate Middleton has kept a pact she made with her younger brother while undergoing cancer treatment.
On Sunday, July 5, James Middleton, 39, shared two photos on Instagram that were taken as the Princess of Wales, 44, completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity late last month.
He was seen embracing Kate in one photo, while the other showed the duo posing alongside their parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, her husband Prince William and their three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8.
“I'm so incredibly proud of my darling sister ❤️⛰️ ,” James wrote in the caption before going on to reveal the mountain climbing challenge was the result of a pact they privately made during Kate's cancer treatment.
“Two years ago, I told you we'd climb this mountain together,” he continued. “We talked about climbing mountains while you were in hospital, and about the incredible healing power that nature can have for both the body and the mind."
"So it was such an honour to join you for your Three Peaks Challenge for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity," he wrote.
“Seeing how far you've come is nothing short of inspiring,” James added. “Your strength, resilience, and determination, all while being the most amazing mother, wife, daughter, and sister, inspire me and so many others every single day."
“Keep being exactly who you are ✨ ,” he concluded, while directing his Instagram followers to learn more about the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Credit: The Prince and Princess of Wales
Kate hiked Britain's three tallest peaks in England, Scotland, and Wales — Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, respectively — within 24 hours to help raise funds for the London-based organization. According to its website, the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supports life-saving research that benefits cancer patients.
Princess Kate spoke candidly about her fundraising challenge in the caption of an Instagram post on June 28.
"I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back,” she wrote.
Credit: The Prince and Princess of Wales
"The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life-changing for so many people,” she continued. “Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare.”
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A week later, she shared several more photos on Instagram from her 23-mile hike as she thanked everyone who had supported the charity.
The snaps included Kate hugging Prince William, 44, and posing with their children.
Credit: James Middleton/Instagram
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The Princess of Wales announced that she was undergoing cancer treatment in March 2024.
"Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too ⛰️❤️," James captioned a photo of them as children at the time.
Following chemotherapy, which she finished in September 2024, Kate revealed that she was in remission in January 2025, almost a year after she shared her diagnosis publicly.
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