Prince and Princess of Wales take to the ice as they meet Winter Olympics heroes – and go to the enduring Kelpies on day of engagements in Scotland
The Prince and Princess of Wales took to the ice during a joint day of royal engagements today after visiting the world’s largest equine sculptures.
Prince William and Catherine visited Scotland, where they are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, and made their first stop at The Kelpies in Falkirk.
The couple posed for official photographs in front of the striking 100ft‑tall horse head sculptures which were built out of steel in 2013 and unveiled a year later.
William and Catherine later joined the British Olympic and Paralympic curling teams in Stirling ahead of the winter games, and even tried their hand at the sport.
It was one of a series of events designed to spotlight Scottish heritage traditions and how they are ‘continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations’.
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
A royal fan poses for a photo with Catherine outside the National Curling Academy in Stirling
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales visit The Kelpies in Falkirk on their trip to Scotland today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales meet royal fans during their trip to Stirling today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales visit The Kelpies in Falkirk on their trip to Scotland today
The Prince and Princess of Wales meet royal fans during their trip to Stirling today
The Prince of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales meets royal fans during her trip to Stirling and Falkirk today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
A royal fan poses for a photo with Catherine outside the National Curling Academy in Stirling
The Prince and Princess meet with the Team GB and Paralympics GB curling teams today
The Prince and Princess of Wales meet royal fans during their trip to Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales meet royal fans during their trip to Stirling today
The Prince of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales laughs during her visit at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Prince of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales meets royal fans during her trip to Stirling and Falkirk today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
A royal fan poses for a photo with Catherine outside the National Curling Academy in Stirling
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
Their Royal Highnesses began their official engagements today at Stirling’s National Curling Academy.
Curling originated in Scotland 500 years ago and is one of the UK’s most successful winter sports – earning Team GB and Paralympics GB eight medals in total.
The Prince and Princess met athletes from the men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams, who are heading off to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano-Cortina in a few weeks’ time.
Famously competitive as a couple, William and Catherine will also have a chance to try curling themselves.
They will get some help from Olympic gold medallist Jen Dodds and men’s World Champion skip Bruce Mouat, who will represent Team GB in curling mixed doubles this year.
The next stop of the day will be at Radical Weavers, a tartan-weaving studio and independent charity in Stirling.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales has a go at curling at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales outside the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales smiles as she arrives for a visit to the National Curling Academy today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, in Stirling today
The Prince of Wales arrives to visit the National Curling Academy in Stirling this afternoon
The Princess of Wales smiles as she arrives for a visit to the National Curling Academy today
The Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, in Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, in Stirling today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the National Curling Academy in Stirling today
The Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, in Stirling today
The organisation was established in 2019 and aims to help to tackle social isolation and support people affected by trauma and loss by offering the chance to learn traditional Scottish tartan-weaving skills in a safe and welcoming environment.
The couple will meet with Mairi Breslin, founding director of Radical Weavers, to learn about the heritage of Scottish tartan weaving.
They will also be told about how tartan-weaving can be a therapeutic experience and help people who have experienced trauma to gain confidence.
The Prince and Princess will be offered the opportunity to take part in weaving tartan themselves alongside others in the studio, including weaving a small piece of Radical Weavers’ latest project – creating the world’s longest tartan scarf.
Their final engagement of the day is embargoed for security reasons – but promises to be equally lively.
