Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Prince William and Kate's new sailing engagement revealed

Prince William Kate1
Share this:

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, have been confirmed to attend the America's Cup World Series for the second year in a row. The royal couple, who were left disappointed when the races had to be postponed due to bad weather in 2015, will be hoping for better conditions for their visit to Portsmouth on 24 July.

Prince William and Kate will first pay a visit to the Portsmouth base of Land Rover BAR, led by Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie, to see the team's progress with their state-of-the-art testing boats.

Prince William Kate© Photo: Getty Images

Prince William and Kate will attend the America's Cup World Series in Portsmouth

The royal couple will also visit the America's Cup World Series Race Village to meet the teams competing in the race and young people involved with the 1851 Trust.

GALLERY: KATE'S BEST SPORTING MOMENTS

Kate last visited the headquarters of 1851 Trust in May, where she learned about projects which are inspiring young people to take up sailing.

The Duchess also had the opportunity to take to the seas, and joined Sir Ben Ainslie on the Americas Cup test boat, where she took control, steering the boat out on the race course that will be used during the Americas Cup World Series event.

Kate sailing© Photo: Rex

Kate is Royal Patron of 1851 Trust and went sailing with Sir Ben Ainslie in May 

Sir Ben later told HELLO! he was impressed by Kate's sailing skills. "We were all really impressed, she's clearly done a fair amount of sailing before. She had a feel for the boat. It's a really high powered racing machine and to be able to steer one of those at close to 40 mph for even a skilled sailor is a real challenge and she did a great job. We had a wonderful sail.

"She really enjoyed it. She certainly looked like she did. This is fantastic for the team to have her involvement and have her support."

Kate is Royal Patron of the 1851 Trust, which is supported by Ben Ainslie Racing, the team to bring the America's Cup back to where it all began in 1851. The patronage is a fitting choice for the Duchess, who crewed a yacht on a round-the-world trip during her gap year.

More Royalty

See more