'I had incredible care here... This was my small way of being able to give back and say thank you': Kate makes surprise appearance at Royal Marsden Hospital where she underwent cancer treatment after raising funds through gruelling Three Peaks Challenge

The Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London this morning to hear how funds raised by her Three Peaks Challenge are being used.Catherine, 44, made the unannounced trip to meet staff and patients benefitting from holistic care, as well as others currently undergoing cancer treatment.The future queen, who was herself treated at the world-famous hospital following her own cancer diagnosis in 2024, secretly undertook the gruelling physical charity climb back in June.She completed the Three Peaks Challenge solo in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, supported on the route by Mountain Rescue, with her proud family meeting her at the last stop at the base of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales. She had also scaled Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike.The Princess, wearing a favourite elegant green dress and new black sling back shoes, was thanked by Royal Marsden chairman Sir Douglas Flint for her fundraising efforts and spoke modestly, but movingly, of how it was her way of ‘giving back’ for all the ‘incredible’ care she has received on her own cancer journey.She smiled and said: ‘This was my small way of being able to give back and say thank you to you. 'I had incredible care here and support from a huge team and I'm really really grateful on a personal level. But also the holistic care, the treatments and therapeutic support on the outside is so important. It makes a big difference.‘The impact of nature, the impact of good nutrition, good ongoing support around you when it's really difficult to manage the trials and tribulations of medical treatments... it makes a big difference. 'It made a big difference to me and it made a huge difference to lots of patients who I've spoken to. Thank you and well done. I think it will be transformative not only for patients but for families too.’Funds raised through The Princess’ challenge will help enable the development of a new specialist Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery.The funding will also support research into how these complementary approaches, alongside clinical care, can make a difference to every person with cancer across the UK.During the visit, Her Royal Highness heard about progress for The Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery and saw the site where it will be built. Catherine also met patients currently undergoing treatment, and heard how holistic care, integrating physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing, can enhance recovery and healing.The Princess of Wales became Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside The Prince of Wales, in 2025 following her own personal cancer journey, during which she received treatment at The Royal Marsden.The Three Peaks Challenge sees participants attempt to scale the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours, including Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland and the UK and Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England.It has a total walking distance of 23 miles (37 kilometres), an ascent of 3,064 meters (10,052 feet) of vertical climbing and a driving distance between the peaks of approximately 462 miles.A picture released by Kensington Palace showed the princess beaming with delight at the summit of Ben Nevis, dressed in cold weather walking gear with her famous sapphire and diamond engagement ring on display.In a personally-penned message the princess - who was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer following major abdominal surgery and underwent gruelling chemotherapy, finally revealing she was in remission a year later - said: ‘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, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone.‘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.’The princess said she was keen to raise awareness for the ‘deeper impact of serious illness’ and, particularly, the importance of holistic healthcare, which she says complements clinical pathways and ‘support patients’ ability to maintain their wellbeing, resilience and quality of life during an exceptionally difficult time’.She is keen to enable more people nationwide to access the kind of personalised support ‘that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment’.‘Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong. It is about finding balance in how we live,’ she said.‘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’The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity launched a specially designed fundraising page for people to donate at www.royalmarsden.org/princessofwalesAs a specialist cancer centre, The Royal Marsden champions whole-person cancer treatment and care across the UK and beyond.Yesterday, Catherine made another surprise visit to Everton's stadium in Liverpool to support the launch of her husband’s suicide prevention toolkit. Prince William was due to host the occasion solo before the Princess decided to also attend, marking their first joint royal event since their summer break and the return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the UK. To launch the initiative, the Prince of Wales was joined by representatives from across the sports world and well-known figures including presenter Gabby Logan, Dame Kelly Holmes, Campbell Hatton and Jill Scott at Hill Dickinson Stadium today. Leaning on further star-power, the future king teamed up with famous faces including England captain Harry Kane, F1's George Russell, footballer Alan Shearer and cycling stars Sir Jason and Dame Laura Kenny to create the new On Your Side 'toolkit'. A picture released by Kensington Palace showed the princess beaming with delight at the summit of Ben Nevis, dressed in cold weather walking gear with her famous sapphire and diamond engagement ring on display Kate completed the challenge solo in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, supported on the route by Mountain Rescue, with her proud family meeting her at the last stop at the base of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, standing at 1,085 meters The practical guide enables people to spot the warning signs better, as well as build knowledge and confidence to offer more timely support.Kate matched William, who wore a navy suit and tie, in a light blue blazer and coordinating trousers from Edeline Lee, teamed with a white blouse to pay homage to Everton's home colours. She also sported her £185 Laura Lombardi Portrait chain necklace.Their outing comes after the King ruled out any role for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan within the Royal Family after they moved back to Britain from the US two weeks ago.In a letter, the monarch told more than 100 'senior stakeholders' across the country that his son and daughter-in-law are not working royals, with a reminder that their HRH titles remain on ice.A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said they were 'surprised' by the King's unprecedented letter in a statement issued to the media, claiming the couple had not been told about it in advance.Palace sources told the Daily Mail that this is 'incorrect', insisting Harry and Meghan had received the letter before it was released publicly. However, they were not consulted on its contents.The Palace made the point the letter was in full accordance with the Sussexes' stated wish to remain 'private citizens while in the UK' and in keeping with the 'Sandringham Summit' agreement of 2020, after which the couple set up a new life in the US.This prompted a jaw-dropping briefing to the Telegraph , which read: 'The Duke is understood to have taken particular issue with the notion that the couple were to be treated as private citizens. If that were the case, it was claimed, such formal guidance would not be required.'The Sussexes prefer the term "public figures", and would have liked an acknowledgement that, on a personal level, they remained members of the Royal Family, despite no longer receiving public funding.' Buckingham Palace declined to comment, feeling the letter is sufficient. Earlier this week, Kate and William, both 44, accompanied their eldest son on his first day of school at Eton College. They travelled with their son the short distance from their home, Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, to the renowned private school, which has educated a string of prime ministers and Hollywood stars.George is following in the footsteps of his father and uncle, the Duke of Sussex, who both attended the college, located just across the River Thames from Windsor Castle in the town of Eton.William's initiative is the result of a collaboration between his charitable arm, The Royal Foundation, the British Standards Institution and the charity Chasing the Stigma. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK - and while the campaign is designed to help both sexes, it is hoped that sport will provide a new way of reaching those men who traditionally find it difficult to talk about their emotions or reach out for help.As well as the practical guide, which will be distributed to sporting organisations both grassroots and professional the length and breadth of the country, stars including Kane and Russell recorded a special film with the prince showcasing the power of having a conversation about suicide.