Princess of Wales wins latest sporting battle against Prince William in spin class
The Prince and Princess of Wales let their competitive sides show again on Tuesday, as the royal couple got stuck in with the activities during a visit to Aberavon Leisure Centre in South Wales.
William, 40, and Kate, 41, jumped at the chance to get involved in a spin class at the Port Talbot sports centre as the pair battled it out in the in the 'Tour de Aberavon' challenge.
Kate removed her smart cream coat, and hopped on the spin bike in her £19.99 Zara skirt and high-heeled black boots, whilst William, calmly confident, kept on his suit jacket for the 45-second competition.
Fellow class attendees cheered on both the Prince and Princess of Wales, but it was Kate who was ultimately victorious in the short – yes strenuous – sporting challenge.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting communities and several mental health initiatives in South Wales ahead of St David's Day, which takes place on 1 March, and visited Aberavon Leisure Centre to promote how sport can help improve mental health.
Their Royal Highnesses started their busy day with a visit to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre to launch their latest initiative: creating therapy gardens to offer mental health support across South Wales.
Kate and William have long worked to highlight the importance of mental health services, through their Royal Foundation they launched the Heads Together campaign alongside Prince Harry in 2016.
On yer bike!
HRHs The Prince and Princess of Wales are taking part in a spin challenge at #Aberavon Leisure Centre where they're paying a special visit this lunchtime. #SouthWales #StDavidsDay #DyddGŵylDewi #PortTalbot pic.twitter.com/33Qhm2kMKA— South Wales News (@SouthWales_News) February 28, 2023
The initiative is a joint effort between the couple's Royal Foundation and a social enterprise called Life at No.27, which uses horticulture and counselling to help improve its service users' mental health.
While at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, Prince William and Kate visited the site that will be used for the new therapy allotment, which will feature a sensory and herbal garden, mud kitchen and an interactive learning space.
The Princess of Wales got stuck in on the allotments, helping to plant seeds for a flower called the 'Sweet William'.
The Princess of Wales planting some seeds called ‘The Sweet William’.#PrincessofWales pic.twitter.com/2QG6BhFegd
— Sapphire (@Sapphireblues3) February 28, 2023
Their final appointment of the day was a visit to the Air Ambulance headquarters in Llanelli, where it was announced that Prince William is to become the Royal Patron for the Wales Air Ambulance charity, his first Welsh patronage since receiving the title of Prince of Wales last year.
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Prince William has seen himself, as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the impact that the first-responders have on the lives of their patients. His new patronage will see the prince continue to champion the efforts of those working on the frontline and the importance of supporting their mental health.
“The Prince has first-hand experience of working in the unique and often challenging air ambulance environment,” said Sue Barnes, Chief Executive of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, said of William’s appointment.
“His work, along with the princess, in highlighting the need for mental health support for frontline emergency workers is something that is appreciated and wholeheartedly supported by our charity. We look forward to our new relationship with the prince as our charity continues to support a lifesaving service for the people of Wales.”
Read more: Why does the Princess of Wales wear so much red?
The couple will spend St. David's Day on Wednesday in Windsor — their first since William and Kate became Prince and Princess of Wales — when they watch the parade of the Welsh Guards as is royal tradition.
It will be the first time William has met the Welsh Guards since becoming Colonel of the Regiment and part of his new role is to hand out leeks to the Officer and Guardsman who will then pass them out to the rest of the regiment.
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