As the 2024 Paris Olympics drew to a close, Prince William and Princess Kate continued their tradition of supporting British athletes, albeit from a distance this year. The royal couple, known for their dedication to sports, cheered on Team Great Britain through a heartfelt video posted on their X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, August 11.
In the video, Prince William, sporting a bold new beard, and Princess Kate, dressed in a casual white shirt with black stripes, congratulated the British athletes for their outstanding performances. “From all of us watching at home, congratulations to Team GB!” said the Princess of Wales, her words echoing the pride of a nation. The Prince of Wales added, “Well done on all you’ve achieved. You’ve been an inspiration to us all,” while wearing a blue polo shirt adorned with the Olympic rings.
The text accompanying the video further expressed their admiration for Team GB: “Well done @TeamGB, what an incredible journey! Every athlete showed immense dedication, heart, and passion. You made us all so proud!” The message, which also included a British flag and gold medal emoji, highlighted the couple’s deep connection to the games.
Despite their virtual presence, there was widespread speculation that William and Kate might make a surprise appearance at the Paris Olympics. However, the couple has maintained a low profile this summer, choosing to spend private time with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. The decision to stay away from the spotlight may also be linked to Princess Kate’s ongoing cancer treatment, which she has candidly described as involving “good days and bad days.”
Prince William’s new bearded look caught the attention of many, as the Prince is typically clean-shaven, a grooming standard he adhered to during his time in the Royal Air Force. His facial hair, a rare sight, last made headlines in 2008 during a brief holiday break. The late Queen Elizabeth was reportedly not a fan of facial hair, having insisted that her husband, Prince Philip, shave the beard he grew during his solo Commonwealth tour in 1965.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have long been known for their love of sports, a passion they have passed on to their children. This summer, William and his eldest son, Prince George, attended the UEFA European Championship final in Germany, where they enthusiastically supported England’s team. The father-son duo shared a heartwarming moment, embracing each other when England scored, while Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watched the match from home.
For Prince William, soccer has been a source of comfort amid challenging times, as both his wife and father, King Charles, undergo cancer treatment. “He has been hugely buoyed by the results of Aston Villa,” a close source previously told PEOPLE, emphasizing the importance of the sport in William’s life.
July was a particularly sporty month for the royal family. On July 14, Princess Kate attended the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London with Princess Charlotte and her sister, Pippa Middleton. The outing marked the Princess of Wales’ second public appearance this year as she continues her treatment. Her arrival at Wimbledon was met with a standing ovation, a testament to the public’s admiration for her resilience. As the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Kate continued the royal tradition of presenting trophies to the tournament’s winners.
The royal mom also hinted at her family’s love for tennis when she met men’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz in the clubhouse after the final match. “We’ve watched a lot on telly, so it’s great to finally get to meet you,” she told the Spanish player in a video shared by Wimbledon.
While Prince Louis has yet to make his Wimbledon debut, it’s likely he will have to wait a bit longer, following in the footsteps of his older siblings, who were both 8 years old when they first attended the prestigious tournament.
Well done @TeamGB, what an incredible journey!
Every athlete showed immense dedication, heart and passion. You made us all so proud!
Here’s to celebrating every triumph at @Paris2024 and looking forward to more from @ParalympicsGB later in the summer 🇬🇧🥇 pic.twitter.com/oCLz7HuuLG
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) August 11, 2024
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw many members of European royal families in attendance, including Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain. Representing the British royal family was Princess Anne, who has a long-standing connection to the Olympics. The Princess Royal became the first British royal to compete in the games when she participated in horseback riding events at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She has remained deeply involved with the competition, serving as a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1988.
Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, continued the family’s Olympic legacy by competing in equestrian events for Team Great Britain at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, where she won a silver medal. The proud moment was shared with several royal family members, including Prince William, Princess Kate, and Prince Harry, who watched Zara receive her medal from her mother.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics come to a close, the continued support from the British royal family, even from afar, underscores their enduring commitment to the nation’s athletes and the global sporting community.
