Today, The Princess of Wales visited The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to hear first-hand how funds raised through her National Three Peaks Challenge and ongoing support will transform holistic care for cancer patients across the UK.
We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to The Royal Marsden today and take the opportunity to thank her for raising funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and awareness of the importance of holistic care.
The Princess of Wales became Joint Patron of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, alongside The Prince of Wales, in 2025 following her own personal cancer journey, during which she received treatment at The Royal Marsden.
Taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
In June, The Princess took on the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours, to highlight the importance of holistic care and support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to help people to heal, recover and live beyond a diagnosis.
Funds raised through The Princess’ challenge will help enable the development of a new specialist Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery. The funding will also support research into how these complementary approaches, alongside clinical care, can make a difference to every person with cancer across the UK.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness heard about progress for The Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery and saw the site where it will be built.
The importance of holistic care in cancer treatment
Professor Sanjay Popat, Chief Medical Officer at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"At the heart of The Royal Marsden, the new Centre for Holistic Wellbeing and Recovery, which The Princesses' National Three Peaks Challenge so generously supports, will drive the change needed to support more people living through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. By putting holistic care at the heart of clinical treatment, patients will be empowered, feel more in control, more confident and better equipped for life beyond cancer.”
Holistic care is about supporting the whole person – integrating physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing alongside clinical care. As a specialist cancer centre, The Royal Marsden recognises the need for whole-person cancer treatment and care across the UK and beyond.
By developing and testing this approach further, we can create a proven model for holistic cancer care. This evidence can then be used to help shape how people with cancer across the UK are supported in the future. The goal is to create a blueprint for change, so this supportive care becomes a standard part of cancer treatment nationally. Find out more about holistic cancer care.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness met patients being treated at the hospital
The Princess also met patients currently undergoing treatment, and heard how holistic care, integrating physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing, can enhance recovery and healing.
Natalie Hall, a Royal Marsden breast cancer patient who spoke to The Princess about the benefits of psychological support and massage therapy during the visit, said:
“The Royal Marsden is a truly special place. Throughout my treatment, my clinical team has not only cared for my physical health but has also supported me as a person, helping me navigate life with cancer and managing the side effects of treatment.”
“The first time I had massage therapy during my breast cancer treatment it was an emotional experience that I had not anticipated. The moment the therapist placed her hands on my back it released so many tears and feelings that I had been suppressing without realising. It was the first time I had stopped in a while and felt so loved and cared for.”
Your donation will help support more people with cancer through holistic care. It will enable:
- The development of a new centre for holistic wellbeing and recovery at The Royal Marsden that will reshape the future of what cancer care looks like.
- The creation of a specialist programme for transforming access to holistic care, alongside clinical treatment, for patients across the UK, to enhance physical, psychological and emotional recovery.
Find out more and donate to support the future of holistic cancer care here.