Thirteen times Kate and William went head-to-head against each other for the cameras
Competitive William and Kate were at it again on Thursday as they abseiled off a windy cliff in the hills near Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales.
Kate was heard telling her husband: ‘We’re not racing’.
But it seems that William didn’t get the message as he immediately bombed to the bottom of the cliff, while Kate bounced down a graceful second.
There’s a theme to this: whether it’s ice hockey in Stockholm or ping pong in Cornwall, the Prince and Princess of Wales love a chance to go head-to-head in front of the cameras.
It’s Kate who’s known as the sporty one, but former helicopter pilot William is no slouch – and frequently makes sure he comes out top in their impromptu challenges.
Here, then, from Bhutan to Cowes are some of the many times the Waleses have done battle over the years.
And the most important thing of all… who won?
William and Kate are all smiles – but there’s no disguising the fierce rivalry
Kate learns the ropes. The princess shows off her abseiling skills as a guest of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Service
Kate (centre) told her husband that ‘we’re not racing’ as she prepared to descend….
But experienced Wills was soon bombing to the bottom, leaving Kate a graceful second
Spinning Race in South Wales, February 2023
The Challenge
The Waleses took part in a spin class during a visit to Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre in Port Talbot.
Challenged to a 45-second race – in which Kate even asked if she could turn the bike’s resistance up and ‘make it harder’ – the pair battled it out as they were cheered on by onlookers.
The Verdict – Kate wins
Despite wearing four-inch Gianvito Rossi boots and a skirt, the Princess was declared the winner of the ‘Tour de Aberavon’ and handed a small trophy.
After finishing, William, who was being consoled by his wife and breathing deeply, joked: ‘Talk to you in a minute.’
Kate and Prince William went head-to-head on exercise bikes during a visit to South Wales
The Princess of Wales was crowned victorious with a trophy despite wearing a skirt and heels
The Prince and Princess of Wales played a round of ping pong during a visit to Cornwall
Ping pong in Cornwall, February 2023
The Challenge
A round of table tennis during a visit to the Dracaena Centre in Cornwall.
William was given quite a fright as Kate sent a ball flying towards his neck, but he laughed it off. Perhaps he should have taken things more seriously…
The Verdict – victory for Kate
Among the joking and fun, Kate proved to be a much better player than her husband and was crowned the winner.
Sailing in The Bahamas, March 2022
The Challenge
‘A very special regatta’ in the choppy waters of the Bahamas with Kate and William in rival sloops.
The Verdict – William wins
The Duke of Cambridge crossed the finish line five minutes ahead of four other boats – including Kate’s, which came in last.
William referred to the race at the following reception, saying how it had reminded him of his grandfather, the late Prince Philip.
He said: ‘Catherine and I were thinking about him today as we celebrated the return of sloop sailing here by racing off Montagu Beach. He would have been in his element!
‘As for the race result? Discretion is the better part of valour. Particularly if you have won, and your wife has come last.’
On this occasion, it was William who triumphed. The then Duke of Cambridge sailed across the finish line five minutes ahead of four other boats
Not this time! Sadly for Kate, her boat finished last
Land Yachting Challenge in St Andrews, May 2021
The Challenge
Kate and William went head-to-head in land yachts at St Andrews in May 2021.
In crash helmets and casual clothes, the pair joined six teenage carers trying out the sport.
The then Duchess beamed as she steered the wind-powered kart down West Sands Beach – just a short drive from the university where she and William met as students.
At one point her back wheel was lifted into the air by the force of the strong winds – but not even that was enough to stop Kate as she shot past her husband.
The Verdict – William wins
In the end, it was the Prince of Wales who edged in front on the sandy course at the very last minute.
Catch me if you can! Kate beamed as she pulled ahead of Prince William during the land yachting challenge
… Wills takes the lead! He had his game face on as he edged in front of Kate on the course
Canoeing in Northern Ireland, February 2019
The Challenge
Prince and Princess faced off in a canoeing race on Lough Erne as part of a day of activities as guests of the Roscor Youth Village in Co Fermanagh.
The Verdict – William wins
William’s team were eventually declared victorious, reaching the marker a few seconds ahead of Kate’s team.
William’s team reached the marker a few seconds ahead of Kate’s team
The couple approached the challenge with gusto, but it was William who came out on top
The King’s Cup Regatta at Cowes, Isle of Wight, August 2019
The Challenge
Skippering individual sailing boats in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
Their involvement revived a Royal royal sailing tradition that dates back to King George IV who presented the King’s Cup to the Cowes Regatta in 1827.
The Verdict – William wins
William finished third over all and Kate came in last, receiving the wooden spoon. But she took it like a champ and laughed off her loss.
William and Kate’s faces were full of concentration as they steered their respective boats
No hard feelings… The then Duchess of Cambridge jokingly held her face in her hands after finishing in last place – with Wills laughing along
Kate was handed the wooden spoon after finishing in last place in the race
Ice Hockey in Stockholm, Sweden, in January 2018
The Challenge
Wrapped up in thick coats, bobble hats and snow boots, William and a pregnant Kate got competitive on an ice hockey rink during a visit to chilly Stockholm in 2018.
The competitive couple were each handed a stick and ball and were invited to take three shots at goal while standing on a somewhat hilarious red carpet rolled out on to the ice in their honour.
The Verdict – William wins
Kate, who was a formidable field hockey player at school, had a better stance but was unluckily on target just once.
William, on the other hand, stepped up and scored with two of his three attempts.
Kate, who was a keen hockey player at school, had a good stance but unluckily missed two out of her three shots
William takes home the gold: William stepped up and scored with two of his attempts
Archery in Bhutan, South Asia, April 2016
The Challenge
The Waleses tried their hand at Bhutan’s national sport archery during a trip in 2016.
The Verdict – Equal last…
Despite being allowed to stand closer to the target, Kate and William’s arrows were nowhere near hitting.
William’s two arrows overshot , heading for the road behind a grassy bank at Changlingmethang National Archery Ground
‘Did that clear the bank? Because it looked like it did. I don’t want to cause a crash,’ said William after his first effort.
Kate burst into a fit of giggles at an attempt which only went about 20 yards before falling to the ground.
Eyes on the prize: Even after being allowed to stand slightly closer, the couple’s arrow still went nowhere near the target
Game for a laugh: The then Duchess of Cambridge burst into laughter after missing the target
Marathon Training in London, February 2017
The Challenge
Kate and Wills went head-to-head in a relay race alongside Prince Harry as they turned out to support a training day for runners who were taking part in the 2017 London Marathon.
The royal trio ran at full throttle during the first leg of the 100m sprint which took part at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) in London.
The Verdict – William beat Kate. (But Harry won, really…)
The couple both lost to Harry who came in first place, followed by Prince William who came second, and Kate in third place despite her efforts.
‘You nearly beat me!’ William playfully said to Kate at the finish line.
Kate and William went head to head in a race as they took part in a training day for the London Marathon at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) in London, 2017
Prince Harry came in first place beating his brother and his sister-in-law at the event
Yacht Race in Auckland Harbour, April 2014
The Challenge
A race around Auckland Harbour in 80ft yachts.
Just before they set off on their respective boats Kate patted her husband on the back and said: ‘Take care!’
‘Yeah, see you later,’ he replied.
The Verdict – Victory for Kate
Kate ruled the waves after she thrashed Willam.
Standing at the wheel of an 80ft America’s Cup sailing vessel, Kate sailed past William with ease before giving him a jokingly menacing victory salute.
Thankfully, there were no hard feelings. Kate even offered a look of sympathy as she patted her husband’s arm in commiseration.
Ahoy, there! The Duchess confidently took the wheel as she sailed around Auckland Harbour in a race with William
Friendly competition: The Duke lost the challenge on the seas to his wife in not one but two races
Dragon Boat Race in Canada, July 2011
The Challenge
Gloomy weather during a trip to Canada was certainly not going to stop newlyweds Kate and William from battling it out in a Dragon Boat Race across Dalvay Lake.
The Verdict – William wins
Although Kate and her team put 100 per cent into their efforts, in the end, it was William’s team who were successful after crossing the finish line with a lead of several minutes.
Consoling his wife following her loss, William gave Kate a heartwarming hug as they stepped off the boats.
Heather Moyse, the Olympic bobsled gold medallist, shared a joke with William as she presented him with a bottle of champagne for winning the race.
She said: ‘Both he and Kate are very competitive, so I think it was good. As a female athlete, I would be really annoyed if someone let me win.’
William goading the opposition as he paddled to victory with his crew
Kate tried her best to catch up with William, but his boat stayed stubbornly in front
It’s all smiles in the end, though, as William gives his wife a hug on the jetty
A friendly Tennis Match in Edinburgh, May 2021
The Challenge
A game of doubles on a visit to Craiglockhart Tennis Centre in Edinburgh.
Kate was in the blue team; her husband was with the reds.
The Verdict – William wins, but….
Kind-hearted Kate took many of the young girls under her wing and offered valuable advice.
But disaster struck when Kate’s shot landed in the net and an unexpected victory went to William.
In reality, however, Kate, is known to be rather good at tennis. Indeed, according to Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, she always wins against her husband and is’ unbeaten with a racquet in her hand.’
Just not on this occasion.
Sporty Kate looked ready to play in her black trousers, Ralph Lauren jumper and trainers
She was joined at the event by Prince William, 38, who rolled up his sleeves ready to play