Kate stops to chat to 11-year-old boy in wheelchair during her Three Peaks Challenge as he's carried up Ben Nevis
Kate said the challenge was "a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis" and to "give something back"
The Princess of Wales spent time chatting to an 11-year-old paraplegic boy who was being carried up Ben Nevis by his father during her Three Peaks challenge.
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She stopped to chat for a while to young Ted Haslam, who was being pushed and carried by 15 friends and relatives for charity.
Ted, from Sutton Coldfield was left paralysed aged three and diagnosed with an aggressive spinal tumour which had been doubling every 24 hours.
His friends and family were taking him to the peak to raise money for the charity Molly Ollys, which provided play equipment for Ted during his time in hospital.
Kate told him: “I’m so impressed, really, you've made it to the second peak. Super, well done you. We'll be cheering you on. Hopefully we'll see you on Snowdon. Good luck.”
Ted's team completed the challenge in 30 hours.
She also spoke to hiker Jacky Leung who described how he saw two camera operators on the hike, who set up to take pictures of a ‘very lean female hiker’.
As she got closer, he realised it was the Princess of Wales. He said he was left “speechless” and he “could not respond with any proper names to greet her.”
He posted on Instagram: “What an epic day at the Ben yesterday with all coincidences happened and finally had a f2f short conversation with Princess Catherine!
“Firstly paid attention to 2 cameramen walking uphills [sic]. One of them just set up camera to shoot a very lean female hiker hiking up.
“I was speechless once I saw her and could not respond with any proper names to greet her. Just feeling so confused and so psyched at that split-second.”
He said she asked “are you alright?” And he replied “I am good, just waiting for my friends.”
She asked him: “Did you make it to the top?”
He said: “ Yeah, we were lucky to get it to the top.”
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear. What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships,… pic.twitter.com/aCkGZBbmWy
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 28, 2026
“Well done!” The Princess of Wales told him.
He replied: “Thank you! You’re so inspiring!”
Mr Leung said she “power walked” up the hill “with a very strong spirit”.
“I believed that not many people recognized Her Royal Highness as she made her way up to the top of Ben Nevis. My friends did not notice her passing by at all.
"Completing the National Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours is a serious test of grit, and Her Royal Highness showed immense strength and spirit.
"Deepest respect to Her Royal Highness for such an incredible feat of endurance! “
The Princess of Wales completed the challenge to raise money for the hospital which treated her for cancer and “explore life beyond diagnosis”.
In a moving statement posted on X, Kate revealed she took up the challenge "not simply as a physical endeavour" but to "give something back" and raise awareness of serious illness.
Kate was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer early in 2024. She announced she was in remission in January 2025 and has been gradually returning to royal duties and international travel.
She completed the endurance event, which involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, within 24 hours this weekend, starting on Saturday evening.
Kate carried out the challenge solo, supported on route by Mountain Rescue, and was greeted at the end by the Prince of Wales and her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and brother James Middleton.
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Kate trekked for 23 miles, with a total ascent of more than 10,000 feet, and a driving distance of 462 miles between locations, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon mountains.
The princess, who was pictured smiling broadly at the summit of Ben Nevis on Saturday evening dressed in a cagoule, with a cap on and her hood up, and trekking poles on her back, wrote: “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.
“The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life changing for so many people.
“Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare.”
The princess, in the photograph at the misty summit, could be seen wearing her sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which belonged to William’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, during the challenge.
Sharing her own experience of cancer, she spoke of how she personally understood that the illness can affect every aspect of someone’s life.
The princess added: “Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear.
“What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.
“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.”
She continued: "In the end, bravery isn’t just about pushing forward.
“It is about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, no matter the terrain, or landscape you are walking through.
“Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported.
“Please know you are not alone.”
She was treated for cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has launched a specially designed fundraising page for people across the nation to donate.
Money raised will be used to help more people with cancer to benefit from holistic care.
Kate, who signed her personal message with a “C”, also wrote of the benefit of holistic therapies, adding: “We have an opportunity to reshape what the future of holistic cancer care looks like, enabling more people, nationwide, to access the kind of personalised support that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment.”
Money raised will also support research into how holistic care can best work alongside clinical cancer treatments to help patients, with the goal of creating a blueprint for change, so the supportive care becomes a standard part of cancer treatment nationally.