No one commands attention on the polo and rugby fields like the future king of England, though his lean-bodied bride is no slouch in the sports department either. Tennis, field hockey, rowing and swimming are all part of Kate Middleton’s athletic past, and while she’s been a fixture on the sidelines – supporting Prince William as he throws down in charity matches – both have a competitive streak. Remember their row-off in Dalvay during the Canadian Royal Tour?
Royal watchers are looking forward to see who rules the road in real life as the couple runs in the London Mile for Sport Relief on March 25.
Organizers are rumored to be in talks with Clarence House in hopes the Royal Couple will take part as Prince William has done in years past. And, if it works out, Wills and Kate are expected to dash down The Mall near Buckingham Palace.
An insider close to the event said: “We are in talks with the Prince’s representatives and understand he is eager to support the event, as he has done previously. We’re hopeful Kate will be able to do it too.
It’s a huge honor to have the support of the Royal Family for this event, which raises millions of pounds for people in poverty in both the UK and abroad. We hope hundreds of thousands of Brits will follow in their footsteps to run a Sport Relief mile somewhere in the country to raise cash.”
The annual charity event raises funds for disadvantaged people in the United Kingdom and abroad, and goes towards initiatives like protecting homeless children and providing life-saving healthcare.
What’s more, the Duke and Duchess have been named official ambassadors of the British Olympic Association (BOA), along with Prince Harry. The three will act as mentors – sharing their own past training experiences – to British athletes for the upcoming London Olympics.
Said Lord Colin Moynihan, chairman of the BOA: “They are looking to make that marginal difference which will assist all those athletes, parents and coaches and taking them one step closer to podium success.
They are young and enthusiastic, they communicate exceptionally well and I think they will build strong and enduring relations with our athletes.”
Could this official role mean the royals will play a part in the opening ceremonies at Olympic Stadium?
Palace insiders are keeping mum for now, but with royal watches keeping close tabs on anything Wills and Kate do that echoes in Princess Diana’s charitable footsteps, it’s a real possibility.
Kate spent months visiting local charities under the radar, and in October, was named patron of her first – the Foundation of Princes William and Harry. She also accepted the honorary positions of Patron of Action on Addiction, Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, Royal Patron of The Art Room and Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, London.
In addition to her newly established patronages, Kate will serve as a volunteer in the Scout Association, volunteer privately with groups based in North Wales where she and Wills have been spotted hiking the beaches near their farmhouse home (with an adorable black Cocker Spaniel puppy!), and will formally be named an “Occasional Helper” in the Beaver and Cub Scouts.