The Prince and Princess of Wales brought their three children to meet Team Wales athletes at the Commonwealth Games, where the young royals offered a rare glimpse into their sporting preferences.
George, Charlotte and Louis joined William and Kate at Wales House in Glasgow after watching a netball semi-final at the Hydro arena. The family chatted with a range of athletes, including gymnasts, para-athletes and runners.
A candid conversation with gymnasts
The family met identical twin gymnasts Abigail and Emily Roper, who each won bronze medals earlier in the week. During the conversation, Catherine asked about the twins' training, saying: "And what are you doing? As Charlotte was asking, are you doing a lot of stretching and conditioning?"
The conversation turned to the children's own efforts. Catherine told the athletes: "Louis, you're perfecting your handstand at the moment." Louis, arms crossed, replied: "A bit, but Charlotte says I'm not very good." When asked if Charlotte could do one, she said "yeah". George, however, drew laughter as he admitted: "I'm rubbish at anything that involves flexibility."
Charlotte's love of gymnastics
Charlotte revealed her favourite part of gymnastics is the floor, and her mother added: "Charlotte likes her dancing." William chimed in: "She loves gymnastics and ballet." The Welsh gymnasts then gave Charlotte a signed Team Wales leotard.
Later, William volunteered Louis to update the medal board, and the eight-year-old placed a giant No 7 sticker on it before returning shyly to his father's side.
Louis and George share their favourites
The children also sat with para-athletes Aled Davies and Olivia Breen, and 400m runner Charlotte Henrich. Louis revealed he had recently taken part in his first school sports day, while George said his favourite event is the javelin. Catherine learned that Louis likes high jump, prompting William to joke: "That's news to us!"
As another Wales gold was announced, Charlotte was invited to update the tally to eight.
Tandem bike tease
Catherine said Laura Kenny had been encouraging them to try the velodrome, adding: "Come and give it a go!" She laughed: "I did say be careful what you wish for as they want to put us on a tandem bike in the velodrome." Gethin Jones responded: "Oh please, please can we absolutely make that happen."
Olivia joked it could be the London marathon after William mentioned Laura had run a sub-four marathon without training. William replied: "Fair enough. Well if that's the ultimatum, riding a tandem bike, definitely."
A gift and a Lycra joke
Each child received a teddy bear of Gwen, the Welsh dragon, and a goodie bag containing a Welsh cycling outfit. When Olivia joked that William and Catherine could wear the outfits on the tandem, William quipped: "You know me and Lycra!" He then pulled out a tiny shirt, having been given a child's top by mistake, and joked: "I won't whip the shorts out."
The family thanked their hosts before heading home after a busy day.
