Catherine, Princess of Wales, has shared a deeply personal message about her experience with cancer as she announced her participation in the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and promote greater access to holistic cancer care.

In a statement on Instagram, the Princess reflected on the emotional and psychological toll of a cancer diagnosis, saying it extends far beyond the physical effects of the disease.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

The Princess said she had taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge not only as a physical feat but also as a way to highlight the importance of life after diagnosis and to support a hospital that played a significant role in her own treatment.

“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,” she said.

She added that the challenge aims to raise awareness of the wider impact of serious illness and the need for a holistic approach to healthcare.

“Every individual is different, and ensuring there is a whole person approach to care enables those living through cancer to manage the deeply personal challenge of diagnosis. Holistic therapies complement clinical pathways and support patients’ ability to maintain their wellbeing, resilience and quality of life during an exceptionally difficult time,” the Princess said.

She also called for broader access to personalized support services for cancer patients across the United Kingdom.

“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,” she said.

According to the Princess, proceeds from the challenge will benefit the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity by helping expand access to holistic care and improving understanding of its role in supporting patients’ recovery.

She concluded her message with a reflection on healing and resilience.

“Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong. It is about finding balance in how we live. Between effort and acceptance, between control and trust, between thinking and simply being. Because 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.”