HE THOUGHT SHE WAS TOO FOCUSED TO NOTICE… — A Hiker Was Left Speechless After Meeting Kate During Her Three Peaks Challenge, BUT One Simple Smile And Wave Completely Changed The Moment… What began as a tough climb quickly turned into a memory he’ll never forget. 👇
An unexpected encounter on the peak of Ben Nevis left an experienced hiker completely speechless over the weekend when he crossed paths with Catherine, the Princess of Wales. Jacky Leung was waiting for his hiking partner in the Scottish Highlands when the future queen walked right past him. Leung recalled that when he first spotted her heading up the mountain, she looked incredibly serious and deeply determined. However, the momentary intensity faded as she smiled and waved warmly at him.
Leung confessed that he initially froze, feeling entirely unsure of how to properly greet a member of the Royal Family and worrying that he might inadvertently be impolite. To his relief, Princess Kate broke the ice herself, initiating a casual conversation by asking if he was doing alright and if he had successfully made it to the summit yet. When he confirmed his achievement, she immediately congratulated him with a warm, “Well done.” Reflecting on the surreal moment, Leung expressed that the face-to-face interaction was just mental and completely beyond anything he could have anticipated.
The Princess of Wales braved the elements to complete the demanding Three Peaks Challenge, an intense endurance feat requiring participants to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales—Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon—all within a strict 24-hour window. The grueling journey covered 23 miles of trekking and a punishing total ascent of more than 10,000 feet. In a video message published over the weekend, she shared that her ultimate goal was to give something back to the institution that treated her and to actively explore life beyond cancer. Her solo trek, backed by the support of Mountain Rescue, sought to raise vital funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Seeing the future queen navigating the rugged Scottish terrain entirely on her own, without a visible security detail in tow, left Leung completely bewildered. Kitted out in full walking gear and a flat cap, the Princess blended in so perfectly with the environment that many other hikers on the trail failed to recognize her entirely. In fact, it was only when the news broke the following morning that Leung and his friend realized the true identity of the woman they had chatted with on the mountain.
The profound personal connection behind the fundraiser stems from the Princess’s own health battle. Diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in March 2024, she underwent extensive medical care at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, before officially entering remission in January 2025. In response to her phenomenal physical effort, the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has launched a specially designed fundraising page aimed at securing resources for holistic patient care. Expressing immense admiration for her sincere and kind nature, Leung praised the Princess as a true role model for everyone using her platform to raise awareness for cancer patients and hospital staff alike.
