Hello, and welcome to a post covering a visit the Princess and Prince George made to RAF Coningsby. We’ll also cover news about the Princess completing the National Three Peaks Challenge, a 23-mile trek climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, Wales, and England in 24 hours.
We begin with the joint engagement with Prince George at RAF Coningsby, a Royal Air Force base about three hours north of Windsor. The Princess is the Honorary Air Commodore of the base, a position she has held since 2023. 
Kensington Palace released a video of the visit this past Saturday, Armed Forces Day. 
We learn more from this piece in The Times.
The footage posted on Instagram shows George in the cockpit of a Spitfire fighter, laughing and watching over his shoulder as the elevators on the plane’s wings moved.
The Princess watching her son in the cockpit of an historic Spitfire. 
We return to The Times story.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team, the RAF operation that keeps a number of historic aircraft airworthy for public and state events, is based at Coningsby. Its planes include five Spitfire and two Hurricane fighters, as well as a Lancaster bomber.
Another view of the Princess. 
The text accompanying the video pays tribute to Britain’s servicemen and servicewomen.
Marking Armed Forces Day by reflecting on time spent with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby. Learning about the extraordinary history of these aircraft and meeting the pilots and engineers who keep their legacy alive. A powerful reminder of the courage, skill and dedication of those who serve, past and present. Thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve.
Here is the full 30-second video.
Honouring Service and Sacrifice
Marking Armed Forces Day by reflecting on time spent with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby. Learning about the extraordinary history of these aircraft and meeting the pilots and engineers who keep their legacy alive. A… pic.twitter.com/gXhRDcBj8A
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 27, 2026
We now turn to the Princess’s success in tackling the Three Peaks Challenge. Google describes it as “one of the UK’s ultimate outdoor endurance events, requiring participants to summit the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales within 24 hours.” Below, a photo of the Princess at the Ben Nevis summit in Scotland. 
Here are the stats for the challenge.
The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3064 metres (10,052ft) – twice the ascent of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, over a similar total walking distance. The total driving distance is 462 miles.
We learn more from The Guardian’s coverage.
The Princess of Wales has completed the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for a cancer charity, becoming the first member of the royal family to achieve the feat.
Catherine, 44, revealed in a message on social media she had successfully taken on the trek not only as a physical endeavour but “to give something back” and raise awareness of the wider impact of serious illness.
In addition to the expedition’s fundraising element, it was clearly a personal challenge for the future Queen. Patricia Treble’s Write Royalty column offers more.
Kate is the charity’s co-chair and she underwent her chemotherapy treatments at that famous cancer hospital in London.
In January 2025, she announced she was in remission. Since then, she has talked about the hard impact that cancer had on her, both physically and mentally, even today.
Along the way, she met an 11-year-old boy named Ted Haslam.
We learn about Ted from this BBC story published before the 11-year-old and his father, with family and friends, started the climb.
A dad plans to complete the Three Peaks Challenge while carrying his paraplegic son in his wheelchair. Pete Haslam, alongside 15 friends and family, will push and carry 11-year-old Ted along on the 23-mile trek across three mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.
The two-day challenge will raise money for children’s charity Molly Ollys, which donated play equipment to Ted.
Below, the Princess speaking with Ted. 
This article from The Daily Mirror has more.
A clip on social media showed Kate bumping into the group at the top of Ben Nevis and taking time out to speak to Ted, who was diagnosed with an aggressive spinal tumour at the age of three – and was raising money for children’s charity Molly Olly’s Wishes, which supports children with life-limiting illnesses by helping make their wishes come true and bringing moments of joy during difficult times.
The princess asked him: “How are you doing, Ted? You’re not too cold? So many people are stood in their T-shirts! Why are they doing that?!”
She then spotted a toy Ted was carrying and asked: “Who’s this, is that your lucky mascot? Has it got a name?” before she was told it was a mascot for Molly Ollys.
Another view of Ted all bundled up. 
Here is a video posted on Instagram by BBC Birmingham.
View this post on Instagram
Hubert Mensah, who works in emergency services, posted on his LinkedIn page about meeting the Princess while doing the challenge. He shared a photo of his group’s team leader, Phillip Tebajjwa, with the Princess on Mount Snowdon. 
From Mr. Mensah’s post:
We started in Scotland, made our way to England, and finally finished in Wales. Each of us had our own personal reasons for why this challenge meant so much. A group of people from different backgrounds, religions, races, and walks of life came together with one shared goal, to complete the Three Peaks as a team.
Whilst completing the challenge within a 24-hour window, we were incredibly fortunate to come across HRH The Princess of Wales, who was also taking on the Three Peaks for charity, for The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.
Seeing her on this journey was truly inspiring. As a woman, a mother, and a human being, she represents strength, courage, and determination. Knowing she has faced her own battle with cancer, made that moment even more powerful. She even took the time to take a photo with our team leader Phillip Tebajjwa at the summit of mount Snowden.
The Princess also met a climber named Jacky Leung while at Ben Nevis. He posted about the encounter on his Instagram account. 
Here is Mr. Leung’s full post, including a video.
View this post on Instagram
The Princess taped a highly personal message explaining her reasons for taking on the challenge before she got underway. Below is the text accompanying the video. 
The Telegraph reports, “She walked alone and was greeted at the base of Snowdon on Sunday evening by Prince William, their three children, her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her brother, James Middleton. She was given logistical and navigational support from Mountain Rescue.”
Here is the Princess’s video explaining her reasons for taking on the challenge.
The National Three Peaks Challenge. ⁰⁰Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported.⁰ ⁰Please know you are not alone.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 28, 2026
And the full text of her comments in the video via Write Royalty.
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.
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.
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.
Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic 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.
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.
This challenge will support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, helping to transform access to, and understanding of, holistic care that will enhance recovery and healing for patients across the UK.
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 through.
Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported.
Please know you are not alone.
C
Here is a link to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity’s site for anyone interested in reading more or donating. 
And the charity’s statement on the Princess’s accomplishment. 
Now for our look at what Kate wore for the two engagements. Below, the Princess speaking with a serviceman at RAF Coningsby. 
Her new blazer, seen during the RAF Coningsby, is a Max Mara design, the brand’s Wool-Cotton Jacquard Jersey Checked Blazer ($1442), a double-breasted style with a slim fit, welted front pockets, a center-back vent, and horn buttons. 
The fabric is a blend of 70% virgin wool and 30% cotton in a Prince of Wales check pattern. Initially I thought it must have been terribly warm to wear during the heat wave the UK is dealing with, but The Times notes in its story the video was shot about two weeks ago. Thank you to Kate’s RepliKates for this ID.
It’s possible the trousers worn with the jacket are her Joseph ‘Coleman’ Stretch Trousers ($465).
She also wore her Pretty Ballerinas Ella Marrones Ante Loafers. 
And her Kiki McDonough Gold/Diamond Hoops with her Pearl Drops by Annoushka, seen in these photos when worn at previous engagements. 
In some photos, you can see the Princess wearing a gold bracelet. Carly at Kate Middleton Style suggests it may be Merci Maman’s Personalized Birthstone Chain Bracelet.
For the Three Peaks Challenge, the Princess sported the Harkila Sandhem Pro Insulated Cardigan ($390), described this way on the House of Bruar site: “Crafted from durable yet soft wool blend, this cardigan features a feminine cut that flatters the figure while providing reliable protection against the chill. The torso is lined with Thermo Poly Shield, a lightweight insulation that is both quick-drying and moisture-wicking. Micro suede and corduroy accents add a touch of sophistication…”. 
The piece features a two-way front zipper, zippered side pockets, and micro suede and corduroy accents. Thank you to Middleton Maven for a fab ID on this one.
The Princess wore Fjällräven’s Est 1960 Cap ($45) in Dark Navy, made of 65% recycled polyester and 35% cotton. She also carried the brand’s Lappland Hike 15 Backpack (£195, roughly $260 at today’s exchange rates) in Dark Olive.
Thank you to Royal British Fashion and Royal Fashion Police for these IDs.
She repeated her Spells of Love Garnet Teardrop Charm Hoops ($125), shown below as worn on a previous occasion.
I expect we’ll see the Princess at Wimbledon soon! The Championships officially got underway today.
Gail
Monday 29th of June 2026
I'm impressed! She's amazing and she even looks great hiking.
Colorado Carol
Monday 29th of June 2026
Her second to last paragraph brought tears to my eyes. She is a wise woman, and wow does she look great in hiking clothes!! I am an avid hiker in the Colorado Rockies and it is hard to find clothes that flatter a woman's shape, will be checking out her cardigan!