Princess Kate took on an extreme physical test over the weekend by completing the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing more than 10,000 feet to reach the top of the three highest peaks in the U.K. in 24 hours. She was greeted by Prince William and their children at the finish, but what wasn't revealed until now is that Kate's brother, James Middleton, climbed alongside the Princess of Wales—and he fulfilled a promise he made when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2024.
Fellow hiker Phillip Tebajjwa shared a video on his Instagram Story showing Princess Kate ascending from the top of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, while beaming and holding hands with her brother while his golden retriever, Mabel, runs behind.
"There I was, congratulating fellow climbers as they made their way down from the windy summit... little did I know I was actually speaking to royalty," Tebajjwa wrote.
Princess Kate and James Middleton climbing down a mountain
A photo posted by on
The hiker then stopped to chat with the princess and snap a selfie, writing, in part, "At that moment, I could only think one thing...Am I actually dreaming?"
The Middleton family has long been a fan of hiking and climbing together, and when the Princess of Wales was diagnosed with cancer in March 2024, James shared a touching photo of themselves as children on a hiking trip, writing, "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too ⛰️❤️."
Now it seems James has taken that statement quite literally, walking alongside his sister as she completed the grueling 24-hour challenge. It's unclear if Middleton was with the Princess of Wales during all three mountains or just for the final peak in Wales, but both appear to be wearing microphones clipped to their jackets in the video, hinting that there's more to come from this brother/sister adventure in the future.
