A royally big rivalry! After Kate thrashed William during netball drills in Marlow, how do the competitive couple shape up when they go head-to-head?

• Ultra competitive Kate and William love competing against each other
• READ MORE: Kate Middleton and Prince William reveal their favourite emojis 

Whether it’s netball, cricket, or running, there’s nothing that our future king and queen can’t turn into a competition.

Prince William and Princess Kate, both 41, were at it again yesterday as they competed in a netball exercise in the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

And, while Kate had no problem shooting hoops when she wasn’t being distracted, it seemed that a little intervention from her husband in a defensive position threw her off her game, as she couldn’t score when he was in her way. 

However, the competitive princess got her own back on the Prince of Wales when she managed to score after four attempts – and later in the day when they took part in a game of goalball, which is played by visually impaired athletes, she scored on her first attempt. Meanwhile, despite deep concentration, William’s attempt at goal was saved. 

As onlookers watched in amusement when the determined couple went head-to-head, the more seasoned royal watchers wouldn’t have been surprised by their antics – as it certainly wasn’t the first time their royal highnesses competed with each other during a public engagement.

Whether it’s spinning in South Wales of canoeing in Northern Ireland, Kate and William love injecting a bit of healthy competition into their marriage. Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of their funniest contests over the years… 

The Prince and Princess of Wales love injecting a bit of healthy competition into their marriage, and often go head-to-head during public engagements

Netball Drills in Marlow, October 2023 

William and Kate visited Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre yesterday where they tried out a variety of sports, including a netball exercise which tested mental resilience by testing them to score while facing distractions.

The game, designed to highlight performing under pressure, involved William standing in front of his wife’s hoop, waving his hands, and laughing as he tried to put his wife off.

The Verdict – Kate wins 

At first, William’s cheeky tactics did the trick as Kate failed to score four times. But she quickly composed herself to try again – and the ball went straight through the net, causing the princess to jubilantly raise her hand the air. 

William and Kate also took part in a goal ball event- which saw the royals eyes covered to represent the experience of a visually impaired athlete – and although the couple were not competing against each other, Kate managed to score again.

Meanwhile William’s attempt at scoring was saved, making it 1-0 to Kate. 

The Princess of Wales, who is known for her competitive streak, beamed as she tried to score a goal while Prince William defended the net

Competitive couple! Kate and William didn’t go head-to-head in goalball but they each wanted to score more than the other

As one of the activities in the royal couple’s visit, they took part in a goalball exercise. Goalball is a sport for visually impaired athletes

Spinning in South Wales, February 2023

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

Ping Pong in Cornwall, October 2023

Just last week, the Prince and Princess of Wales took each other on in 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 her husband’s neck, but he laughed it off. Perhaps he should have taken things more seriously…

The Verdict – Kate wins 

Among the joking and fun, Kate proved to be a much better player than her husband and was crowned the winner.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, play table tennis during a visit to the Grange Pavilion in Cardiff

Sailing in The Bahamas, March 2022

‘A very special regatta’ in the choppy waters of the Bahamas with Kate and William in rival sloops.

The challenge took place during the royal couple’s tour of the Caribbean last year, in which they visited several different islands. 

The Verdict – William wins

The Prince of Wales 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

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 Princess 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.

Despite William’s victory, it was a close call – but Kate took defeat in her stride, as the perfect princess. 

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 Prince and Princess of Wales 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

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 Princess of Wales 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

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 Waleses tried their hand at Bhutan’s national sport archery during a trip in 2016.

The Verdict – A draw (but they both came 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: Princess Kate 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 beats 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

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 – Kate wins

Kate ruled the waves after she thrashed Willam.

Standing at the wheel of an 80ft America’s Cup sailing vessel, the Princess 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 Prince and Princess of Wales took on 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. 

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

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.

Source: Read Full Article