Princess Kate Welcomes Three Peaks Fundraisers to Windsor Castle for Special Tea Party

Princess Kate has reunited with some of the people she met during her demanding Three Peaks Challenge, inviting fellow fundraisers and their families to Windsor Castle for a special afternoon tea.

The gathering, held last week, brought together people whose own journeys were marked by determination, personal challenges and a desire to raise money for causes close to their hearts.

Kate, 44, completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in June in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours.

Sharing a video from the Windsor Castle gathering, the Princess of Wales reflected on the stories behind the challenge.

“Behind every summit was a personal story of resilience, determination and hope.”

She added that hearing about the participants’ experiences was a reminder that “recovery is rarely a journey we make alone” and highlighted the importance of the people who support others through difficult periods.

Reuniting With Ted Haslam

Among the guests was 11-year-old Ted Haslam, whom Kate encountered during her own climb.

Ted, who uses a wheelchair, completed the Three Peaks Challenge with the help of his father, Pete, and 15 family members and friends. He was raising money for Molly Olly’s Wishes, a charity supporting children with serious illnesses.

Kate later donated to Ted’s fundraising campaign through JustGiving and praised him, his father and the wider team for completing the challenge and raising money for the charity.

The Windsor gathering gave the Princess an opportunity to meet Ted and his family again away from the mountains, this time around a table set with tea and cake.

Albie-Junior Also Joined the Celebration

Another young guest was Albie-Junior Thomas, 9, who completed the Three Peaks Challenge in August.

Albie-Junior was born without a fibula and had his foot amputated when he was a toddler. He took on the challenge to raise money for his local football club, completing the three peaks in around 22 hours, according to the original report.

His participation added another remarkable story to a gathering that brought together fundraisers with very different personal reasons for taking on the demanding challenge.

Other Fundraisers Shared Their Stories

Sean McCormick, whom Kate met at the beginning of her own challenge, was also among those invited.

Sean had been part of a group raising money for his friend’s nephew after the child was diagnosed with cancer.

Another guest, Trish Patterson, completed her own Three Peaks Challenge just days after Kate. Rather than simply walking between the mountains, she ran between each peak and reportedly broke the existing record by nine hours while raising money for Mind Over Mountains in memory of a close friend.

The stories gave Kate the chance to reconnect with several people she had encountered during her own journey and hear what had motivated them to take on the challenge.

Kate’s Own Three Peaks Journey

Kate began her National Three Peaks Challenge on June 27, climbing Ben Nevis before going on to Scafell Pike and Snowdon. She completed the challenge the following day.

Kensington Palace said she was believed to be the first member of the Royal Family to complete the feat.

The Princess later explained that the challenge was about more than physical endurance. She wanted to raise funds and awareness while exploring what life can look like beyond a serious illness diagnosis.

Kate announced in January 2025 that she was in remission from cancer. The Royal Marsden holds particular significance for her, having provided treatment and care during her illness.

Her husband, Prince William, and their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — were among those who supported her during the challenge, while her mother Carole and younger brother James also offered support.

Reflecting on the experience at Wimbledon in July, Kate told former British men’s tennis No. 1 Tim Henman that completing the route within 24 hours was the goal, but that she had also tried to enjoy the training and the journey itself.

The weather, she recalled, was particularly difficult, with participants getting soaked as they pushed on.

A Personal Connection to the Royal Marsden

Earlier in September, Kate returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital to see how the fundraising connected to the work of the organisation and to thank staff for the care she had received.

The Windsor tea party extended that same theme of support beyond the hospital, bringing together people who had faced different challenges and had chosen to turn their own experiences into fundraising efforts.

For Kate, the reunion offered a chance to hear those stories again — this time not on a mountain path, but over tea and cake at Windsor Castle.