All is Fair in Love and Sailing!
As one of their many charitable projects, Prince William and Kate Middleton battled it out on the water as they each skippered a Fast-40 boat at the historic King’s Cup Regatta. Young Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined in the charitable festivities as they watched the race from a boat with their grandparents. George sported a charming sailor’s hat and both children wore life jackets. Members of the public watched the race from the grandstands as they enjoyed a range of family-friendly activities along the shore.
The King’s Cup regatta at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
It’s for a Good Cause (or Eight)
First presented at Cowes’ Royal Yacht Squadron by King George V in 1920, the cup race involved eight boats this year. Each boat represented a charity that is supported by the royal family and this year it included Place2Be, Action on Addiction, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Child Bereavement UK, The Royal Foundation, Tusk Trust, the London Air Ambulance Charity and Centrepoint.
Let the Sailing Commence!
The first race was won by Tusk Trust with none other than adventurer Bear Grylls at the helm. Prince William took third place. Kate Middleton came seventh but this was still a better achievement than the second race when her team was disqualified for starting too early. Prince William also didn’t do too well as he placed fifth during this race. Despite neither taking the top prize, and Kate ‘winning’ a giant wooden spoon for her team placing last, both royals remained in good spirits throughout the race, clearly demonstrating their love for physical activity and the outdoors.
The active couple are long-standing advocates for sports and Kate, in particular, has made it part of her royal role to encourage children to spend time outside with the goal of improving physical and mental well being.