The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will miss the Rio 2016 Olympics next month, it has been confirmed. A royal source told HELLO!: "It was under consideration at some point that some or one of them might go, but for a whole range of reasons they are not going."
William, Kate and Harry have other overseas trips lined up in the coming weeks and HELLO! understands that this was a factor in the decision.
Prince Harry visited Brazil in 2012 and again in 2014, even venturing into the notorious Cracolandia district of Sao Paulo – Brazil's crack cocaine capital – so security is unlikely to have been a major concern this time around.
© Photo: Getty ImagesWilliam, Kate and Harry were ambassadors for the London 2012 Olympics
Other reports have claimed that the royal trio were put off by the Zika virus that has struck the host country. It is believed that the Duchess, mother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, would like to have a third child and so didn't want to venture to Brazil and take the risk.
The Zika virus primarily affects pregnant women, resulting in thousands of babies being born with deformities. In addition, if a man were to get Zika through a mosquito bite, he could potentially affect his sexual partner and put their unborn baby at risk.
However Kensington Palace reiterated that a "range of reasons" affected the royals' decision.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKensington Palace said that 'a range of reasons' affected their decision
It is thought that Princess Anne will be the only member of the royal family set to attend. Her equestrian daughter Zara Tindall, who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, was not selected for this year's eventing team.
William, Kate and Harry are not the only royals who will avoid the plane ride to Brazil, despite officials stating that the virus is under control. Princess Charlene of Monaco, mum to twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, will also not attend.
The retired Olympic swimmer's husband Prince Albert said: "She doesn't like what she's been reading and hearing about the Zika virus."
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrincess Charlene of Monaco is another royal who will not attend the Rio Games
Other sporting names who have pulled out of the Games include Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, who is engaged to fiancée Erica Stoll. "My health and my family's health comes before everything else. Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take," he wrote in a statement.
Greg Rutherford's partner Susie Verrill also revealed that the athlete has had his sperm frozen ahead of the Games, and that she would not attend in person. "We'd love to have more children and with research in its infancy, I wouldn't want to put myself in a situation which could have been prevented," she wrote in her blog.
