Catherine, Princess of Wales, visited the Royal Marsden hospital on Friday, 11 September 2026, to meet patients and staff and witness how proceeds from her mountain-climbing fundraiser are being directed toward a new wellbeing centre. The visit marked her return to the specialist cancer hospital where she underwent treatment before announcing her remission in January 2025.
In June 2026, Catherine undertook the National Three Peaks Challenge, scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) within 24 hours to raise funds for the Royal Marsden. The challenge, which she described as a
"chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back", was completed in support of the hospital's vision for expanded patient care.
The funds raised through the climb will support the creation of The Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery, a specialist hub designed to provide cancer patients with emotional, spiritual and social support alongside their clinical treatment. According to reporting on the visit, the centre represents a commitment to making holistic care a standard component of cancer support rather than an optional addition.
What Catherine saw during her hospital visit
During her time at the Royal Marsden on Friday morning, Catherine engaged directly with medical staff and spent time speaking with patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer, head and neck cancer and brain tumours. Her conversations with those receiving care reflected her long-standing commitment to understanding the patient experience beyond the clinical setting.
How Catherine's experience shapes her advocacy
The princess has frequently discussed how her own cancer diagnosis transformed her perspective on recovery and wellbeing. During a hospital visit in Essex the previous year, she reflected on the broader impact of cancer, saying:
"It's life-changing for anyone, through first diagnosis or post treatment and things like that, it is a life-changing experience both for the patient but also for the families as well."This understanding has informed her approach to supporting initiatives that address the emotional and psychological dimensions of cancer care alongside medical treatment.
Catherine and William's role at the Royal Marsden
According to coverage of the visit, Catherine and Prince William became joint patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 2025, deepening their formal connection to the institution. This patronage reflects their commitment to advancing cancer care and patient wellbeing at a national level.
What comes next for the centre
The Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery is now in development at the Royal Marsden, with the funds from Catherine's Three Peaks Challenge contributing to its establishment. According to reports on the fundraiser, no public opening date has yet been announced, though the hospital continues to progress plans for the facility. The centre will serve as a model for integrating wellbeing support into standard cancer care pathways.
Recent royal engagements
Catherine's visit to the Royal Marsden on Friday formed part of a broader schedule of public engagements. On Thursday, she and Prince William had travelled to Liverpool to support the launch of a suicide prevention initiative, demonstrating their continued focus on mental health and wellbeing across multiple areas of public health.
Key facts
- Catherine completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in June 2026, climbing three mountains in 24 hours to raise funds for the Royal Marsden
- The funds will establish The Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery, offering emotional, spiritual and social support alongside clinical cancer treatment
- Catherine and Prince William became joint patrons of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 2025
- The princess announced her remission from cancer in January 2025, having received treatment at the Royal Marsden
- No opening date has been publicly announced for the new centre, though development is underway
