Guernsey Press

William, Kate and Charlotte enjoy packed day of Commonwealth Games events

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined by the Earl and Countess of Wessex on Tuesday.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat with a grinning Princess Charlotte as they enjoyed a packed day of Commonwealth Games sport.

William and Kate arrived first at the aquatics centre in Sandwell, West Midlands, on Tuesday shortly after the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louise and James.

Before the duke and duchess’s arrival, Edward, who is vice patron of the Commonwealth Games, shared a joke with former prime minister Theresa May as he entered Sandwell Aquatics Centre during the men’s 1,500m freestyle heats.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Day Five
The royal visitors at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre (Jacob King/PA)

Kate, dressed in a white blazer and trousers, embraced Edward, Sophie and their children before taking her seat next to Charlotte.

The duchess was pointing and explaining things to her daughter, while William held one of the official programmes.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Day Five
Princess Charlotte takes in the atmosphere at the swimming (Jacob King/PA)

After rolling her eyes following a comment from her father, Charlotte then cracked a smile as Turley’s heat came to a close.

In the afternoon, the duke and duchess watched the hockey as England’s women took on India at the University of Birmingham’s Selly Oak city campus.

Arriving 11 minutes after the start, Kate and William, with Princess Charlotte, took their seats behind Edward, Sophie and their children.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Day Five
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Princess Charlotte (Joe Giddens/PA)

Kate, wearing the same white blazer, matching trousers and blouse, and William in a formal shirt, blue blazer and pale trousers, warmly greeted the Wessexes.

Sophie turned in her seat to chat with Kate while Charlotte, wearing a black and white striped summer dress, shook hands with a Games official sat in front.

Having missed the opener, the royals did not have to wait long for more on-field drama.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Day Five
The duchess with Princess Charlotte at the hockey (Jacob King/PA)

There was a nervous wait as a video referral was run to check if the ball had crossed the line at the 15-minute mark in the first quarter.

But there was relieved applause from the royals and spectators alike as the replay showed a narrow let-off for the home side.

Later, Kate leaned in close to Charlotte during the game, explaining a point of detail to her daughter during play.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Day Five
The Cambridges on day five of the 2022 Commonwealth Games (Jacob King/PA)

At half-time, the Cambridges headed off to another Games engagement – with the sure-footed Charlotte leading down the steps of the stand, with her mother and father close behind.

Well into the third quarter, the Wessexes were able to cheer and applaud as England’s Tess Howard then scored the team’s second goal with a low, sweeping drive into the corner of the net.

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