London: Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has shared pictures of her embracing her family at the bottom of Mount Snowdon after completing the Three Peaks Challenge.

The princess was greeted by her husband, three children, parents and brother after the “personal” challenge, which involved scaling Scotland’s Ben Nevis, England’s Scafell Pike and Wales’ Snowdon within 24 hours last weekend.

In pictures released on Kensington Palace social media on Sunday afternoon (London time), Catherine, 44, beamed as she was hugged by her family members after completing the gruelling trek.

Wearing a baseball cap, T-shirt and red shorts, she hugs the Prince of Wales as well as Princess Charlotte, and has her arm around her eldest child, Prince George.

Elsewhere, she appears emotional while speaking to Charlotte, 11, and holding the hand of her youngest, Prince Louis.

In the final picture, she poses with the family, including her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, as well as her brother, James, and his dog.

The National Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours. It is frequently used to raise money for charitable organisations.

A caption accompanying Kensington Palace’s post reads: “This time last week, completing the National Three Peaks Challenge. A huge thank you to everybody who has supported the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.”

The princess took on the challenge to highlight the benefits of holistic healing and to raise money for the cancer charity.

After recovering from preventive chemotherapy herself, she said she wanted to use the endeavour to raise awareness of “the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare”.

In a video message filmed before she embarked on the trek last weekend, she said her inspiration was partly personal, adding: “I’m so grateful to be here, to be strong enough to walk these hills.”

But the princess also said that she wanted to “give something back” and to contribute to “all the wonderful work that’s going on, and in particular to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – an organisation very dear to me, but who do extraordinary work supporting those living with and beyond the disease”.

A link to donate to the cause was included in the social media post on Sunday.

The Telegraph, London

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