The Prince and Princess of Wales put their competitive streaks to the test today as they stepped onto the ice at the National Curling Academy in Stirling.
Known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, William and Catherine were on a busy “away day” to support Team GB and Paralympics GB Curling ahead of next month’s Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
Curling is one of Britain’s most successful winter sports, with six Olympic medals and two Paralympic medals under its belt.
But even royals quickly learn that sliding stones across the ice toward a target is harder than it looks.
A Steep Learning Curve
Before trying it themselves, the couple received a quick five-minute demonstration from skips Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds.
They were shown how to push off from the rubber hack and glide forward on slippery soles—a skill that looks far easier than it is.
Catherine hesitated first, politely offering William the chance to go. “You can go first,” she said.
With a grin, he replied, “It won’t make a difference,” and slid off, laughing at how slowly the stone moved.
Mouat reassured him that in official play, sweepers help propel the stone toward the house.
Catherine then carefully stepped onto the 45-metre-long ice, holding her husband’s arm for support.
After an initial wobble, she regained her balance, pushed the stone forward, and laughed at her own clumsiness.
Determined to improve, she lined up for another shot, ready to go head to head with William.
Royal Rivalry on the Ice
With sweepers on each team, the couple competed to get closest to the button, the centre of the house.
William started confidently, and Catherine cheered him on. When it was her turn, she focused intently, successfully launching the stone and watching anxiously as the sweepers guided it.
When it landed perfectly in the middle, she high-fived Dodds and celebrated with a fist pump.
The friendly rivalry showed the playful side of the royal couple, giving the athletes a chance to interact with their supporters in a relaxed, informal way.
A Tour of Scottish Landmarks
Before arriving at the curling centre, the couple made a stop at The Kelpies in Falkirk, the iconic 30-metre-tall steel horse-head sculptures.
They paused for photos, admiring the blend of Scottish heritage and industrial design.
When they arrived at the National Curling Academy, they were greeted warmly by members of the public and took the time to shake hands and chat with fans before heading inside.
Meeting Team GB and Paralympic Athletes
Inside the state-of-the-art centre, which houses a gym, swimming pool, climbing wall, and four curling rinks, the royals spoke individually to each athlete.
Catherine asked thoughtful questions about the team’s Olympic preparations, while the athletes shared stories of past competitions, including a narrow silver finish at the 2022 Beijing Games.
The couple also learned about wheelchair curling, surprised to hear that sweepers aren’t used in that format.
Jo Butterfield, a former club throw gold medallist, shared her ambition to become the first British athlete to win gold at both the Summer and Winter Paralympics.
Sweet moments included Catherine discovering she shares a birthday with team member Hugh Nibloe, prompting a warm hug, and the couple happily posing for selfies with fans.
Royals Try Their Hand at the Sport
William joked with athletes about the challenge of curling without sweepers.
“It’s harder than it looks,” he admitted, highlighting how much teamwork is involved in the sport.
Both royals impressed with their effort and determination, earning praise from athletes like Rebecca Morrison, who called their attempts “brilliant” and said it was an honour to meet them.
The Academy’s Impact
Opened in 2017, the National Curling Academy has transformed training for Team GB, giving athletes year-round access to high-quality ice.
This has helped maintain Britain’s competitive edge in winter sports, culminating in gold and silver medals in Beijing 2022.
Next Stop: Tartan Weaving in Stirling
The royal day continued at Radical Weavers, a charity and tartan-weaving studio established in 2019.
The organisation helps people affected by trauma or social isolation by offering a chance to learn traditional tartan-weaving skills.
William and Catherine will meet founder Mairi Breslin, learn about the history and therapeutic benefits of tartan weaving, and even try their hand at creating a small piece of the studio’s latest project: the world’s longest tartan scarf.
A Busy Day Concludes
Despite running behind schedule, the Prince and Princess of Wales made time for fans, selfies, and handshakes, bringing a light-hearted, human touch to their official duties.
Between curling lessons, cultural stops, and charity engagement, their trip to Stirling highlighted both their playful personalities and dedication to supporting British sport and heritage.
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