Kate the climber! Princess’ abseiling trip with William echoes a heartwarming childhood photo
The Princess of Wales proved she still has the same adventurous spirit from her childhood when she got stuck in a rappelling in Wales yesterday.
The 41-year-old royal family looked totally at ease on the mountain as she enjoyed an afternoon of climbing with her husband, Prince William.
Dressed in practical jeans, £175 hiking boots and a £145 outdoor jacket, the mother-of-three laughed as she made her way down the rock face.
But this isn’t the first time the princess – who was an avid hockey player throughout her school and college years – has tried climbing.
In 1985, the Middleton family enjoyed a holiday in the Peak District – where three-year-old Kate happily scrambled over some rocks.
Kate learns the tricks of the trade! The Princess showed off her rappelling skills as she and Prince William took an action-packed day out at a mountain rescue center in Wales
The Princess of Wales pictured herself scrambling over some rocks in the Peak District in 1985 when she was just three years old
The future Princess of Wales was pictured in a multicolored striped sweatshirt, black trousers and trainers as she confidently explored the natural landscape.
With a huge smile on her face, the cute toddler had her hair tied in two bundles so it was out of her face for the family’s day out.
Michael and Carole Middleton released the photo in 2011 to celebrate their eldest daughter’s wedding to Prince William.
Plus, Kate also seemed in her element when she took part in rock climbing in 2015 while visiting an activity center in North Wales.
Along with their abseiling, the Prince and Princess of Wales also took part in medical support exercises and a search dog rescue demonstration yesterday.
When asked by instructors if he had rappelled before, William said, “It’s been a while.”
Before going over the edge, Kate was heard reminding her husband, “We’re not racing!”
William and Kate arrived in a wet and windy area of the Bannau Brycheiniog near Merthyr Tydfil in the South Wales Valleys in hiking gear and donned safety gear ready for the descent.
Radiant! The Princess of Wales smiles during an abseiling training this afternoon
Looks good! Opting for a sporty look, the mum-of-three wore The Mountain Equipment Kongur MRT Women’s Jacket, which cost £600, gray trousers, a matching cap and hiking boots
The Prince and Princess of Wales take part in training activities while visiting the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team
Give it a try! The Princess of Wales rappels down a quarry at the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue
Abseiling: Kate seemed to give it her all as she showed off her skills during a training session at HQ
Keep It Steady: Kate rappels off a cliff in the Brecon Beacons, while encountering mountain rescuers
A difficult task? Pictured are William and Kate preparing to abseil on their visit today
Before she went over the edge, Kate, wearing a red mountain rescue jacket like her husband and her hair tied back in a ponytail, was heard to tell William, “We’re not racing.”
Couple goals: The Prince and Princess of Wales rappelled off a cliff in the Brecon Beacons together while meeting mountain rescuers
They were guided through the process by the volunteer-led mountain rescue organization, which responds to calls 24 hours a day throughout the year.
The group covers the central part of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, including Pen y Fan, the highest point in the south of Britain, and Ystradfellte Falls, keeping surrounding communities safe since 1963.
They also participated in other training activities, such as medical support exercises and watched search dog rescue demonstrations, while hearing from current and former team members about their experiences over the organization’s six-decade history.
Kate took part in a simulated rescue operation and when she radioed for a rescue kit, it was hurriedly brought by William, before they both helped put it together so they could get the dummy victim – who had suffered a leg injury evacuate.
The royal couple then helped the victim to safety on a stretcher.
Kate said, “Do you have everything on the list?” She laughed and added, “It’s like calling him about the weekly shopping!”