The Prince and Princess of Wales will be travelling to France for the Rugby World Cup, but ahead of the major sporting tournament, they made a surprise appearance alongside Mike Tindall and Princess Anne on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
The four royals, who are all sports mad, shared plenty of anecdotes of their own sporting adventures and why rugby and other physical activities hold a special place in their hearts. Below, HELLO! has rounded up all the best moments from this very special edition of Mike's podcast...
Princess Kate reveals hilarious sports day anecdote
© The Good The Bad The RugbyJames Haskell, Mike's podcast co-host, asked the Prince and Princess of Wales whether they would ever take part in a parents' sports day event, to which Kate confirmed that they already had. Despite being told a race "categorically" wasn't happening, Kate revealed their one particular school called a last-minute parents race, prompting concern due to "underpreparedness" although the Prince revealed he did finish second.
Speaking about the moment, he shared: "I started off just running and joining in, and then looked around and I was so far out in front. There was this Italian dad up in front and I thought: 'I'm going to catch him'. A friend of mine who tried catching up with me pulled a hamstring." Kate also said she was barefoot, but couldn't remember in which place she had finished.
Prince William and Kate joke about their 'competitive nature'
© GettyJames also brought up the friendly rivalry between the Prince and Princess of Wales who are known to be competitive with one another. "I don't know where this has come from," Kate sweetly joked, before adding: "I don't think we've actually been able to finish a game of tennis. It becomes a mental challenge between the two of us," with William confirming the pair try to "out mental" each other for the victory.
When asked whether Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were picking up this streak, Anne shared her thoughts, chiming in: "Just a little bit, I think." Kate then revealed: "They're all of different temperments and as they're growing and trying out different sports, it's going to be interesting to see how that grows and develops."
Prince William didn't vote for Mike on I'm a Celebrity
© James Gourley/ITV/ShutterstockDuring a discussion about inspirational women in sport, Mike's I'm a Celebrity co-star, Jill Scott, who had captained the Lionesses, was brought up and William was probed as to whether he voted for her in the jungle. The Prince revealed he had remained neutral and not voted for anyone, even Mike. "I stayed neutral," he smiled.
Princess of Wales reveals her sporting regret
© Chris JacksonWith such a love of sport, Kate will have experienced plenty of highs and plenty of lows and shared her love for being in a live sports venue and "soaking up the atmosphere". But speaking of one disappointment, she shared: "I was absolutely gutted to have missed Andy Murray's game when he won his gold medal event.
Prince William reveals how sport helped him to grow
© The Good The Bad The RugbyWhen asked whether he would encourage all youngster to take part in sport, William relayed how important it was to him as a child. "Being able to come together, fight adversity together, win or lose, cold and wet damp, whatever kind of days you're playing in, get a few knocks or bruises, it's important part of growing up," he explained.
Princess of Wales teases Prince over rugby
© GettyPrince William recounted how he used to play rugby in school when he was growing up, to which the Princess of Wales playfully responded: "Did you? Did you?"
Princess Anne speaks about racing a young Prince William
© The Good The Bad The RugbyIt wasn't just William and Kate who shared sporting anecdotes, as Princess Anne also shared some, revealing that she used to race a young Prince William around in Balmoral. She joked it was the only athletics that she was good at because of "corners". William then added: "You were quite quick. The look that you had on your face was quite terrifying."
Prince Kate talks love of all sport
© GettyWhen asked about her favourite sport, Kate said: "I love all sport, I generally love all sport. I love swimming, personally I love swimming wherever. The colder, the better. When it's dark and it's raining, I will go out and seek cold water." But despite her love of cold-water swimming, the Princess revealed she didn't share a similar love for ice baths.
