All of the Times Kate Middleton's Proved She's the Sportiest Royal
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Kate Middleton has always been an athlete. From her days on the St Andrew's school field hockey team to expertly racing boats with Prince William, Kate makes any sport look easy. No matter the situation (or her seemingly inappropriate footwear) royal watchers can always count on Kate to participate with a smile. Scroll through for a look at all of the Princess of Wales's sportiest moments.
October 12, 2023
Kate and William played netball during an engagement supporting mental fitness in sport.
The Princess of Wales also tried her hand at goalball, a sport for visually impaired athletes.
June 24, 2023
In a video celebrating Wimbledon's ball boys and ball girls, the Princess took to the court with none other than Roger Federer.
She even participated in training drills.
June 7, 2023
Kate, the patron of the Rugby Football Union, joined a game of netball rugby at the Maidenhead Rugby Club and participated in some drills.
May 8, 2023
During the Big Help Out following King Charles's coronation, the Princess of Wales tried her hand at archery—as did her kids!
April 27, 2023
Proving her fearlessness, Kate took part in part in a Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team abseiling training exercise during a visit to Wales.
February 28, 2023
Spin counts as a sport, right? During a visit to South Wales, Kate hopped on a spin bike to race her husband, Prince William. Naturally, she won.
July 31, 2022
Catherine, then the Duchess of Cambridge joined the Great Britain SailGP Team aboard their catamaran in a friendly race.
September 24, 2021
Tennis fan Kate joined some tennis royalty—US Open Champion Emma Raducanu—on the court for a doubles game during a homecoming celebration for the tournament’s British champions. Raducanu reportedly described the duchess's forehand as “incredible.”
More: The Best Photos of the Royals Playing Tennis
May 26, 2021
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went "land yachting" on the beaches of St Andrews, Scotland. The pair got a bit competitive, racing each other on the sand. Kate even appeared to get a bit stuck (as seen here) and required some assistance—she seemed unfazed, however, laughing and smiling the whole time.
May 13, 2021
The Duchess of Cambridge took an archery lesson while visiting The Way Youth Zone in Wolverton, UK. She and Prince William participated in a few sports at the organization, which helps youth mental health and wellbeing.
May 13, 2021
Kate also played some ping pong, teaming up against her husband, Prince William. No word on who emerged victorious.
April 27, 2021
The Duchess of Cambridge tried her hand at golf while visiting young people supported by the Cheesy Waffles Project, a charity for children and adults with special needs. The group played sports at the Belmont Community Center in Durham, UK.
April 27, 2021
She then laughed as Prince William joined in on the game.
March 5, 2020
Duchess Kate is willing to try basically any sport. She didn't hesitate while participating in hurling and Gaelic football with the Salthill Gaelic Athletic Association club on a trip to Galway, Ireland.
March 5, 2020
Kate looked ecstatic playing Gaelic football with Irish children.
February 26, 2020
The Duchess is on the run! Kate wore an all green athleisure look to a SportsAid event at the London Stadium. She paired the outfit with Marks & Spencer striped sneakers, and tried her hand at both racing on the track and taekwondo.
February 26, 2020
At the same event, Kate certainly packed a punch! She accessorized her look look for the day with a necklace engraved with "GCL"—a tiny tribute to her three children: George, Charlotte, and Louis.
October 17, 2019
On a 2019 trip to Pakistan, Kate visited the National Cricket Academy and tried out the popular sport.
August 8, 2019
Kate's the captain now. The Duchess took the helm while competing on behalf of the Royal Foundation at the inaugural King’s Cup regatta.
February 27, 2019
The athletic Duchess played soccer (known in the UK as football) with children during a visit to the National Stadium in Belfast, Ireland, home of the Irish Football Association.
February 27, 2019
Prince William joined in on the fun, proving he could keep up with his sporty wife.
October 30, 2018
An ace for Kate! The Duchess of Cambridge hit a forehand during a tennis match in Basildon, England.
February 2, 2018
The Duchess hit the slopes in Oslo, Norway, bundling up for an event organized by the Norwegian Ski Federation.
October 31, 2017
While rallying at the National Tennis Centre, Kate sported a chic black and white look.
July 20, 2017
There's nothing wrong with some friendly competition. Duchess Kate competed against her husband, Prince William, coxing rowing boats between Cambridge and Heidelberg.
February 5, 2017
The Duchess showed off her athletic prowess while competing against Prince William and Prince Harry during a Heads Together event at a London Marathon Training Day.
February 5, 2017
The competition was fierce at this race, as the three royals relayed to promote their charity, Heads Together.
October 1, 2016
Kate got nautical while steering the Pacific Grace ship in Canada's Victoria Harbour. She chose a sporty khaki anorak for the outing.
May 16, 2016
Kate threw some punches at the launch of the Heads Together campaign on mental health. One could say the Duchess was literally fighting mental health stigma.
April 14, 2016
Is it Kate or Cupid? While visiting Bhutan, the Duchess fired an arrow at an archery demonstration. Prince William, gazing on, looked a tad concerned.
April 10, 2016
While not exactly wearing proper sporting attire, Kate did not hesitate to join a soccer game on her royal visit to India.
March 3, 2016
Kate and Prince William enjoyed a private ski getaway in the French Alps. The pair looked polished and athletic in their wintery outfits.
February 24, 2016
Wearing some of her favorite black and white workout pants, Kate took part in an Edinburgh workshop with famed tennis player Andy Murray's mother.
July 29, 2014
While not exactly dressed for jumping, the Duchess looked quite chic playing Three Tins, a traditional South African game. Kate joined in the fun at the Commonwealth Games Village in Glasgow, Scotland.
April 11, 2014
Kate certainly feels comfortable steering a boat. The Duchess wore traditional sailing stripes to helm an America's Cup yacht, racing Prince William in Auckland Harbour.
April 14, 2014
Once again not exactly dressed for sporting, Kate was not afraid to get her heels dirty. The down-to-earth Duchess jumped into a cricket game while visiting Christchurch, New Zealand.
October 18, 2013
Just a few months after giving birth to Prince George, the Duchess looked amazing while playing volleyball at a London SportsAid Athlete Workshop. She played the game in high wedges, no less.
April 4, 2013
While pregnant, Kate tried her hand at basketball on a visit to Glasgow.
November 30, 2012
The high school field hockey player picked the stick up again for St Andrew's Day at St Andrew's School (Kate's alma mater). For the occasion, she wore a navy and green plaid coat and heeled black boots.
March 15, 2012
The Duchess is always happy playing field hockey. She practiced with the Women's GB Hockey team at the Olympic Park while wearing a zip-up sweatshirt, bright jeans, and comfy sneakers.
July 4, 2011
Kate row, row, rowed her boat off the coast of Dalvay-by-the-Sea, Canada. She looked sporty in a zip-up and was of course seen wearing her life jacket.
July 5, 2011
Kate played street hockey (in some very sports-inappropriate shoes), while visiting Yellowknife, Canada.
September 17, 2008
In her pre-royal life, Kate channeled the 1980s in a wild, roller-skating outfit. For this funky look, she chose a green sequined top, yellow shorts, and hot pink leg warmers.
March 30, 2005
On one of her first trips with the royals, Kate skied in Klosters, Switzerland. She proved herself by looking quite adept on the slopes, wearing a chic red jacket and (seemingly) effortlessly carrying her skis.
Late 1980s
Kate has always been an athlete. This photo shows Kate (front, middle) and her field hockey teammates at St Andrew's School, which she attended from 1986 to 1995.
Late 1980s
While Kate's favorite sport was field hockey, she was also a star tennis player. Here, she posed with her tennis teammates at St Andrew's School. Young Kate (top, third from left) looked adorable in her uniform.
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