Britannia rule the waves

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge head to Portsmouth to support Sir Ben Ainslie’s crew at the America Cup after weekend with ‘spoilt’ Prince George

The couple paid a visit to the Portsmouth base to see Sir Ben's Land Rover BAR team compete

Kate and Wills were guests of honour at the America’s Cup World Series for the second year in a row.

The royal couple joined thousands of spectators to support Sir Ben’s Land Rover BAR team in the Portsmouth leg of the America’s Cup World Series.

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William and Kate showed their support in matching his and hers America’s Cup t-shirts

PA:Press Association
The Royals followed the race from on board a high-speed Catamaran

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Windswept . . . Before Kate tied her famous hair back

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took in a number of races on Sunday before enjoying a high-speed catamaran ride as they cheered on Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team to victory.

They sat on the front boat as it chased after the racing catamarans during the three races of the afternoon.

Earlier in the day the Cambridges were given a tour of the Land Rover BAR and boatshed before presenting the winner’s trophy and medals to Sir Ben and his team.

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The Cambridges were happy to speak to all involved and pose for photographs

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The team, lead by Ben Ainslie, is the first British team to contest an official America’s Cup event on home waters since the competition began

PA:Press Association
The Royal couple got a tour of the Land Rover BAR base

Sir Ben told the crowd: “‘The guys did an incredible job with the boat handling and to be able to do that in front of you guys is what it’s all about for us, so thank you.”

Sir Ben’s team finished the day in joint first place with Groupama Team France.

The teams are competing for points to take forward to the finals being held in Bermuda 2017 and Sir Ben is hoping to be the first British team to win the prestigious event in its 165-year history.

Oracle Team USA are the defending champions.

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Kate is a patron for the 1851 Trust

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The Duchess had a personalised jacket for the occasion

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The Duchess of Cambridge met competitors as she visited the team exhibits in The Race Village

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The Duchess is a well-documented sailor, notably dropping out of a cross-Channel rowing team back in 2007 after paparazzi intrusion.

She and William competed in a Dragon race during their tour of Canada in 2011 and she even beat her husband during a boat race in New Zealand in 2014.

Both Cambridges have an advanced diving certificate issued by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), which must come in handy during their jaunts to the Caribbean island of Mustique.

PA:Press Association
The Cambridges are known for their love of aquatic pursuits

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Kate was dressed more casual than we are used to seeing her, wearing black skinny jeans and her trusty wedges

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Matchy matchy . . . The Royal couple donned matching Americas Cup shirts for the event

The Prince and his wife met a group of young people involved in The 1851 Trust, a charity which aims to get children involved in the maritime industry.

The also met 10-year-old Zak Kay, from St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Portsmouth, who won a competition to design the trophy for the America’s Cup World Series event in Portsmouth.

When Kay asked what Prince George received for his birthday, the Duke said: “I am not telling, he got too many things, he’s far too spoilt.”

Reuters
Kensington Palace released a series of photos to mark Prince George’s birthday this week

He added the three-year-old is not “into boats”, despite an apparent love of aeroplanes.

Last year the little Prince received a staggering 706 gifts from overseas.

George turned three on July 22.


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