- A beaming Princess of Wales has sent a message congratulating Team GB
- Prince William looked unusually rugged with stubble as he stood by her side
- Their message came after King Charles III sent his praises to the Olympians
A beaming Princess of Wales has sent a heartfelt message to British Olympians ahead of the end of the Paris Olympics, which will be formally closed tonight.
Kate, who is continuing to undergo preventative chemotherapy, was positively glowing in her latest appearance in a special video shot for Team GB featuring a host of well-known personalities.
Prince William stood by her side in the Instagram video and sported an unusually rugged look, with an unshaven appearance.
In the short clip, Kate said: ‘From all of us watching at home congratulations to Team GB.’
The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB top, then briefly added: ‘Well done to Team GB you’ve been an inspiration to us all.’
A beaming Princess of Wales has sent a heartfelt message to British Olympians ahead of the end of the Paris Olympics , which will be formally closed tonight
Former England captain and football icon David Beckham also features in the social media video and said: ‘Hey Team GB, we are so proud of you, congratulations’
Broadcaster Gabby Logan said Team GB had been ‘amazing’ and they had created ‘memories that will last a lifetime’
Rapper Snoop Dogg, who has been presenting for American broadcaster NBC at the Olympics, also features in the star-studded video
The royal couple’s positive message came just minutes after a heartfelt statement from King Charles III, in which he called all Olympians ‘an inspiration’.
The monarch congratulated their ‘outstanding successes’ and singled out their ‘raw talent, true grit and hard toil’ in the message, which came just hours before the final moments of the Olympic Games in the French capital.
A glittering closing ceremony will take place in the Stade de France at 9pm (8pm BST).
In his full statement he said: ‘My wife joins me in sending our warmest congratulations to the competitors and their support teams from Team GB and across the whole Commonwealth, for their many outstanding successes at the Olympic Games in Paris.
‘Your achievements, across so many disciplines, were forged from that invaluable combination of raw talent, true grit and hard toil over many years, burnished these past weeks by sportsmanship and team spirit in the finest tradition of the Games.
The King has called all Olympians ‘an inspiration’ and congratulated their ‘outstanding successes’ in a heartfelt message sent to mark the closing of the Paris Olympics
The monarch’s message was sent just hours after Emily Campbell celebrated a bronze medal in the women’s 81kg+ weightlifting event on the last day of the competition
Amber Anning, Victoria Ohuruogu, Nicole Yeargin and Laviai Nielsen of Team Great Britain celebrate Bronze in the Women’s 4 x 400m final on Saturday
‘To those who missed out on the greatest prizes, you have most certainly not fallen short in the pride that you, too, have generated for your nations.
‘As we thank France for hosting such a wonderful tournament and look to the Paralympics ahead, I can only say that you have all been an inspiration.’
In the video featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales, former England captain and football icon David Beckham said: ‘Hey Team GB, we are so proud of you, congratulations.’
Broadcaster Gabby Logan said: ‘You have been amazing. Thank you so much for everything. These memories will last a very long time.’
Great Britain ended the Paris Olympics with 65 medals – the same amount won at London 2012 and the nation’s second-best ever tally on foreign soil.
They came third behind the United States (126) and China (91).
But Team GB won eight fewer gold medals than in Tokyo three years ago and were 13 down on the 27 collected at Rio 2016.
A final return of 14 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze saw Britain slip to seventh spot in the medal table – its lowest place since finishing 10th at Athens 2004 – and third-best European nation behind hosts France and the Netherlands.
Traditional Olympic sports such as athletics, cycling and swimming returned medals, while rowing banished its Tokyo nightmare to win three golds in a strong regatta.
But newer sports such as skateboarding, taekwondo and trampolining also had success, while Team GB won its first-ever medals in sport climbing.
There is no time for Team GB to rest however – it has already begun planning for the Los Angeles 2028 Games by securing Stanford University as its exclusive preparation camp.
A star-studded show will bring an end to the two-week sporting spectacle on Sunday night.
Hollywood action man Tom Cruise is expected to bring a dramatic finale to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which has been hailed a roaring success despite torrential rain and chaotic start.
The switch across the Atlantic will feature live performances by pop superstar Billie Eilish , LA rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg
Hollywood action man Tom Cruise is expected to bring a dramatic finale to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The Mission Impossible star is set to abseil into the Stade de France stadium to pick up the five-ring Olympic flag and transfer it to Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Games.
The switch across the Atlantic will feature live performances by pop superstar Billie Eilish, LA rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg.
The regular appearance of the legendary rapper has been hailed by Olympic chiefs for helping introduce the Games to a record audience of half the world’s population.
The Mission Impossible star is set to abseil into the Stade de France stadium to pick up the five-ring Olympic flag and transfer it to Los Angeles
Heavy security around the closing ceremony stadium Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
Billie Eillish is set to perform in LA when the torch is handed over