Kate Middleton has opened up about the lasting emotional impact of cancer, saying the disease changes far more than a person’s physical health.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, the Princess of Wales reflected on her own experience after completing Britain’s National Three Peaks Challenge, a demanding trek across the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales.

“Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear,” Kate wrote. “What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.”

She explained that the effects of a diagnosis extend well beyond the patient, touching families, friendships, careers and everyday life.

“Cancer doesn’t just affect the body,” she continued. “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.”

Kate revealed that she took on the National Three Peaks Challenge not only as a personal milestone but also to raise awareness about the importance of holistic cancer care.

“I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavor but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back,” she explained.

The challenge saw the Princess climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours. She was welcomed at the finish by Prince William, their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, along with members of her family.

Kate announced in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer following abdominal surgery. She completed chemotherapy later that year and confirmed in January 2025 that she was in remission, although she has never publicly disclosed the type of cancer she was treated for.

Her latest challenge is also raising funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, supporting efforts to expand access to holistic therapies that work alongside traditional cancer treatment.

Ending her message on a hopeful note, Kate encouraged others facing similar battles to remember they are not alone.

“Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong,” she wrote. “It is about finding balance in how we live… 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 through.”