The Wales family knows all about being a winning team. The Prince and Princess and their children – who spent a day at the Commonwealth Games watching sport, including netball – are putting their best feet forward when it comes to representing the royal family and are clearly at the top of the podium.
The surprise appearance of William and Catherine with Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, on the second-to-last day of the Glasgow Games proved hugely popular with the crowds at several events they attended.
It was also special because it was the children’s first official public engagement in Scotland and Louis’ first visit to a major sporting event. His older siblings have accompanied their parents to Wimbledon and various football matches, but until now, Louis, eight, has been considered too young to attend a game in public.
Louis steals the show
But the youngster was on his best behaviour when he watched Jamaica beat Australia in the netball semifinal before heading off to observe several track cycling races. There was just one moment of the cheekiness he’s renowned for, when he pulled on a hat celebrating Welsh cyclists and broke into a big grin.
A palace insider says William and Catherine – who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they’re in Scotland – made sure Louis was ready for the challenge of sitting through an event.
“They know all the cameras will be on him, so they haven’t rushed into anything.”
Louis is a big fan of sports, like the rest of the family, which fortunately meant watching the events wasn’t a chore.
Louis keeps it real
During a chat with some athletes, Louis said he’d recently taken part in his school’s sports day and particularly enjoyed the high jump. Big brother George, 13, commented that his favourite event was the javelin.
William revealed that Charlotte is into gymnastics and ballet.
Catherine then turned to her youngest child and said, “Louis, you’re perfecting your handstand at the moment.”
He replied with, “A bit… but Charlotte says I’m not very good.”
Wise beyond her years
Observers commented on how mature and composed 11-year-old Charlotte seemed, particularly when it came to talking to the athletes. She was also seen chatting with her great-uncle Prince Edward, 62, who is the vice-patron of Commonwealth Sport.
“It’s hard to believe she’s only 11,” said one attendee.
“The way she interacts with people, she seems much older than her years. She’s a very confident young lady.”
George comes into his own
Meanwhile, George, making his first public appearance as a teenager, was also accomplished when it came to talking to strangers. He admitted that unlike his sister, he was “rubbish at anything that involves flexibility”.
The Wales children have inherited their love of sport from their parents. William enjoys watching football and rugby, and he skis, plays polo and tennis. Catherine is one of the fittest members of the royal family, excelling at tennis, hockey, sailing, rowing and running.
Just like any family
William hinted that they also enjoy teasing their children. When Catherine revealed it had been suggested that she and William, both 44, could ride a tandem bike at the cycling venue and a TV journalist asked the children, “Would you like to see Mum and Dad on a tandem in the velodrome later?”, George replied without hesitating, “No.”
His father added, “We embarrass you enough as it is.”
Keeping it real
George may well cringe at some of the things his parents have done in the past, like enthusiastically competing against each other in everything from abseiling to sprint races. But that willingness to try just about anything and also get their kids involved – as they did back in 2023 when they all tried archery during a scouting event – is endearing them to the public at a time when support for the monarchy has been dropping, particularly among younger people.
The source explains, “The fact that they take an interest in so many activities and are willing to join in, not just stand there and observe, makes them more relatable.”
“Both together and individually, William and Catherine are wonderful representatives of royalty. But add in the children, and you have a likeable and approachable family who is quite a formidable force.”
