James Middleton has sent a heartwarming message to his sister, the Princess of Wales, following her remarkable completion of the Three Peaks Challenge.
The entrepreneur responded to Catherine’s Instagram video explaining her motivation for the endurance feat with a simple but powerful message: “So proud.”
Beneath a photograph showing the Princess radiating joy after finishing the challenge, James added a subtle yet meaningful tribute — a mountain emoji paired with a heart.
The gesture carries particular significance, coming 18 months after Catherine revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy following planned abdominal surgery.
James, himself a keen hiker, had previously posted a childhood photograph of the siblings on a mountain walk, writing: “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
The Princess covered an extraordinary 23 miles on foot this weekend, ascending more than 10,000 feet across Britain’s three highest peaks, with 462 miles of driving between each mountain.
Her route took her up Ben Nevis in Scotland at 4,413 feet, Scafell Pike in England at 3,209 feet, and Snowdon — known as Yr Wyddfa — in Wales at 3,560 feet.
Catherine undertook the challenge alone, with Mountain Rescue providing support throughout the demanding route.
James Middleton has sent a heartwarming message to his sister, the Princess of Wales
Her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, greeted her at the foot of Snowdon as she completed the final leg in Wales.
The achievement is believed to be a royal first, with no other member of the Royal Family having previously conquered the National Three Peaks Challenge.
On Sunday, the mother-of-three shared her deeply personal motivation for undertaking the gruelling physical test, describing it as an opportunity to highlight life beyond a cancer diagnosis.
“The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life-changing for so many people,” Catherine wrote on Instagram.
Catherine’s decision to undertake the challenge carries profound personal significance
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X/@KENSINGTONROYALPrincess Beatrice’s husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi also shared his congratulations for the princess, commenting with applause emojis and a red heart on Instagram in response to the announcement.
The princess, who received treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, explained her desire to raise awareness about the broader effects of serious illness and the value of holistic healthcare.
“Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear,” she reflected.
“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.”
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has established a dedicated fundraising page for public donations.
During her ascent of Ben Nevis, Catherine bumped into 11-year-old Ted Haslam from Sutton Coldfield, a paraplegic boy being carried up Britain’s highest peak by a team of 15 friends and family members, including his father Pete.
She enquired about his lucky mascot, which represented Molly Ollys, a Warwick-based charity that had provided play equipment during Ted’s hospital treatment.
“I’m so impressed, really, you’ve made it to the second peak. Super, well done you,” Catherine told him encouragingly.
When Pete asked whether she was undertaking the challenge herself, the Princess replied: “Yeah, but don’t tell anyone.”
Catherine subsequently visited Ted’s JustGiving page and made a substantial private donation, believed to be between £1,000 and £2,000, although the exact figure was left undisclosed.
“One of the real highlights of the Three Peaks Challenge was meeting inspiring people like you along the way. Huge congratulations to the entire team for raising money for such a wonderful cause. C,” she wrote.
Ted has now raised more than £13,000 for Molly Olly’s Wishes, which supports children with terminal and life-threatening conditions.
Speaking to ITV, Ted described the encounter as “one of the most memorable things of my life”.