Competitive Kate Middleton was in her element as she went head-to-head with husband Prince William in a land yachting race today.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge beamed as they sped along the shoreline at West Sands Beach, St Andrews, this morning. The couple were just a stone’s throw from the university where they first met 20 years ago.
Land yachting, also known as ‘sand yachting’ or ‘land sailing’, involves steering a low, three-wheeled vehicle similar to a go-kart that is attached to a sail and powered by the wind.
Kate, 39, dressed down for the engagement in her favourite £159 Longshore Barbour jacket, £310 See by Chloe boots and a grey baseball cap which she pulled over her ponytail to protect her hair from the drizzle.
The Duchess beamed as she shot off down the beach, at one point overtaking her husband. She kept her game face on even as one of the back wheels came away from the sand.
The royal couple were joined by a group from Fife Young Carers, which helps young carers maintain their well-being through a range of outdoor activities, workshops, and residential trips.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sailed down the sand at West Sands Beach, St Andrews, this morning
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dressed down in jeans, jackets and boots for the land yachting session. At one point Prince William placed a hand on his wife’s back (right)
The Duchess of Cambridge dressed down in jeans and practical boots as she joined Prince William to try her hand at land yachting today
Thumbs up! Smiling Kate waved at the young carers who joined them in the session. Right, Will gives them a thumbs up
The Duchess of Cambridge beamed at Prince William as they prepared to set off on their land yachts
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a cap pulled down over her hair (left). Right, the royal learns more about Blown Away
Ready to race! Competitive Kate looked in her element as she and Prince William tried their hand at land yachting
Thrilled: The couple beamed as they crossed West Sands Beach, St Andrews, despite the bad weather
The royal couple were joined by a group from Fife Young Carers, which helps young carers maintain their wellbeing through a range of outdoor activities, workshops, and residential trips
Yesterday William and Kate spent several hours in Orkney after travelling from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, where they are staying while carrying out a week of engagements in Scotland.
The visit is part of a broader royal charm offensive to help persuade Scotland to resist the demands of nationalists for independence.
The couple’s first stop was Balfour Hospital, which opened its doors in 2019 and replaced the old hospital, which had served the community for 90 years.
The new facility has enabled the repatriation of many NHS services from the Scottish mainland, allowing Orkney’s population to receive most of their healthcare at home.
The new building’s circular design is based on the 5000-year-old Neolithic settlement, Skara Brae, making it a unique reflection of the local landscape in which many historical sites are circles.
Afterwards the couple stopped off at local family, the Bichans, to hear more about life in Orkney over a cup of tea.
Off they go! The couple were challenged with steering the wind-powered vehicles through a series of cones
Catch me if you can! Kate beamed as she pulled ahead of Prince William during the land yachting challenge
Blustery day: At one point the Duchess of Cambridge’s back wheel lifted off the sand as she turned
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a cap pulled down over her hair (left). Right, the royal learns more about Blown Away
Quick sprint: The Duchess of Cambridge hurried across the rainy beach during the engagement this morning
Challenging conditions: The couple had to wrap up in several layers for the outing. Right, Kate wipes her eyes
The royals sat outside on socially distanced garden furniture while chatting to the family.
The final engagement of the day was the European Marine Energy Centre – the only accredited wave and tidal test centre for marine renewable energy in the world.
During the visit William and Kate heard more about EMEC’s role in tackling climate change and supporting the UK’s green recovery, from marine renewable energy generation to green hydrogen production and distribution.
The Duke and Duchess also visited the fuel cell and hydrogen storage trailers at Kirkwall Pier, which take locally produced hydrogen and reconvert it back to electricity, before heading out to sea to see the world’s largest tidal energy turbine.
The couple were shown how the turbine works and were given a cup of whisky to bless the machine.
Their visit to Scotland is understood to be part of a wider strategy to emphasise the ‘cultural bonds’ between Scotland and the rest of the union.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went for practicality over style in choosing their outfits for the beach enagement
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked on at a group of young carers taking part in the land yachting