The Prince of Wales showed off his boxing skills when visiting a former London 2012 venue to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a sports coaching charity alongside the Princess of Wales today.
William and Kate, who looked perfectly polished in a vintage blue Chanel jacket, went to the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London to take part in an event with Coach Core, which was launched by the pair’s Royal Foundation.
The couple, both 40, had the chance to meet some of the young people with whom the charity works with and got a taster of the sports sessions on offer – and a beaming William tried his hand at boxing before highlighting how sport has the ability to provide ‘hope, connection and opportunity’ within communities.
The now independent charity was established the same year that the Olympic and Paralympic Games were staged in the capital to contribute to the legacy ideals of the events, and in response to the London riots.
It aims to create the next generation of sports coaches who will themselves go on to inspire their communities and has supported more than 750 disadvantaged young people onto community sports coaching apprenticeships.
The Prince of Wales showed off his boxing skills when visiting a former London 2012 venue to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a sports coaching charity alongside the Princess of Wales today
The Princess of Wales smiles during a visit to Copper Box Arena to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Coach Core in London
William and Kate (pictured), who looked perfectly polished in a vintage blue Chanel jacket, went to the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London to take part in an event with Coach Core
The couple (pictured), both 40, had the chance to meet some of the young people with whom the charity works with and got a taster of the sports sessions on offer – and a beaming William tried his hand at boxing when at the even
Among the organisation’s ambassadors are England and Manchester City Women’s captain Steph Houghton, gymnast Max Whitlock – a six-time Olympic medallist, and tennis coach Judy Murray.
For the outing, Kate looked typically stylish in the Chanel 1995 trimmed double-breasted jacket, which featured CC-logo embossed buttons, contrasting trim, four front patch pockets and crop sleeves.
She paired the statement garment with black wide-leg trousers and a matching top, and added a touch of glitz to her look with a dainty silver necklace.
Finishing off her ensemble, Kate opted for black high heels and kept her brunette locks loose and curly, while sporting a smattering of glamorous makeup.
Having put the Prince through his paces with the boxing gloves, Gabrielle Reid, 18, from Bournemouth, said: ‘He picked it up very fast and he said he had boxed before. I didn’t have to teach him much. I’m not going to forget this experience, it was crazy.’
Fellow Coach Core student Joshua Jones, 21, added: ‘I just went over the fundamentals of boxing I showed him the jab, backhand and I showed him how to throw a one-two, and his stance and guard.
Prince of Wales spars with Joshua Jones as he attends the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Coach Core at Copper Box Arena
Team spirit: The Prince of Wales gave his all as he tried his hand at boxing this afternoon
Getting into it! The beaming Prince of Wales trains in boxing gloves during a visit to Copper Box Arena this afternoon
Trying it out: Prince William looked keen to give boxing a go when appearing at the event today at Copper Box Arena
Keen sportsman: The Prince of Wales plays football when touring a sports coaching charity at the Olympic Park in London
Finishing off her glamorous ensemble today, Kate (pictured centre) opted for black high heels and kept her brunette locks loose and curly, while sporting a smattering of glamorous makeup
Prince William chats with staff members during a visit to Copper Box Arena to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Coach Core in London
Deep in concentration: Prince William appeared keen to show off his sporty skills when boxing during the engagement today
‘He enjoyed it, he said he’d done a bit a before but had a little knuckle injury so wouldn’t be taking it up any time soon.’
As William practiced his football skills, Kate chatted to Scott Cooper, 26, from Grays, Essex, who completed his Coach Core programme and is now a youth worker with Barking and Dagenham Council. The 26-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was praised by Kate after he said he wanted to motivate others with a disability to become youth workers.
He said: ‘I was telling her I wanted to inspire people with disabilities, and she said that I would be an inspiration because of the way I showed grit and determination.’
Gymnast Max Whitlock, a six-time Olympic medallist and a Coach Core ambassador, said: ‘We’re helping a lot more kids involved in sport by providing good coaches, good role models and (helping) these people into full-time employment – which is incredible.’
Welcome! The beaming Prince and Princess of Wales waved to those that were waiting for them on their arrival to the event
The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured) have visited a former London 2012 venue to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a sports charity
In his speech William said: ‘Sport has an incredible way of providing hope, connection and opportunity and when Coach Core was established ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, it was designed to use that power to help change young people’s lives.
‘Since then, more than 750 young people have been supported through the programme, with 600,000 sports sessions delivered to eight million participants.
‘We are both so proud of all the remarkable progress that has been made. To all the Coach Core apprentices, we want to say well done and also – thank you.
‘We all face barriers and challenges in life, and these can sometimes take incredible bravery to overcome. Not only have you faced these down, you have positively impacted the lives of others along the way and inspired many more.’
Earlier today, the Princess of Wales’ faithful bodyguard, Sergeant Emma Probert, was awarded with a royal distinction.
Working as a team: Kate placed an affectionate hand on William’s back when the pair chatted to organisers at the event
William and Kate (pictured), both 40, travelled to the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London
Beaming! The Prince and Princess of Wales were all smiles as they entered the venue ahead of the event starting
Stylish: Kate paired her statement garment with black wide-leg trousers and a matching top, and added a touch of glitz to her look with a dainty silver necklace
Among the organisation’s ambassadors are England and Manchester City Women’s captain Steph Houghton, gymnast Max Whitlock – a six-time Olympic medallist, and tennis coach Judy Murray. Pictured, Kate and William
Fashion: For the outing, Kate looked typically stylish in the Chanel 1995 trimmed double-breasted jacket, which featured CC-logo embossed buttons, contrasting trim, four front patch pockets and crop sleeves
Look of love: Kate was all smiles as she shared a laugh with her husband Prince William upon their arrival this afternoon
Gymnast Max Whitlock, a six-time Olympic medallist and a Coach Core ambassador, said: ‘We’re helping a lot more kids involved in sport by providing good coaches, good role models and (helping) these people into full-time employment – which is incredible.’ Pictured, Kate
Emma, who was assigned to Kate’s Royal Protection Unit in 2010, was made a member of Royal Victorian Order on the Birthday’s Honour list last year.
She beamed as she received the distinction from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace today. The title is awarded to individuals who have personally served the Monarch with distinction.
Emma has accompanied the Princess of Wales on countless royal engagements since her wedding to Prince William in 2011. Before working for Kate, Probert was in charge of the security for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The discreet figure has been responsible for the security of mother-of-three Kate since her first steps into royal life, and had to step up to the mark in order to ensure the Princess remained safe on a number of occasions.
Sergeant Probert, a member of Scotland Yard’s Protection Squad is trained in martial arts and also carries a 9mm Glock pistol and a Taser stun gun at all times when with the royals. She is also thought to wear a stab vest while on duty with the royals.
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