The Princess of Wales showed off her shinty skills after declaring “I want to give it a go” during a visit to a Scottish island.
Kate and William travelled to Bute to celebrate the island’s community spirit and volunteering ethos after a war of words broke out over a controversial Diana, Princess of Wales memoir.
The couple visited Bute Shinty Club and watched an under-17s match from the side-lines alongside locals, and they seemed impressed with the skills on display.
When it was the couple’s turn to try the sport – which like hockey is played with a curved stick and small, hard ball – they quickly learned hand-eye co-ordination is key as they practised taking penalties.
William fluffed his first shot, with the ball moving just a few inches, before making solid contact to cheers from the spectators.
Kate fared little better at the start, swinging and missing – but her next shot was cheered by the crowds as it flew at the goalie.
She then peppered the goal with more shots, almost hitting members of the press who were closest to the netting and saying “sorry” in apology.
Their trip came amid a public dispute between the King and Earl Spencer, who claims in a new book about his sister Diana that Charles had said “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough” days after her death.
Buckingham Palace hit back in a forthright response, with a spokesperson saying “fraternal grief can cloud reason”.
William and Kate are known by their Scottish title – the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay – when visiting the country and they arrived on Bute at their namesake town of Rothesay.
The couple chatted to the crowds after their shinty display and Kate told content creator Andy McAlindon, known as Andy the Highlander, who was stood beside the goal: “I was a bit worried I was going to take your teeth out.”
Former Bute shinty player Tom McMillan said: “I think they did very well, Kate hit the ball better then William and she really got into it and was lining the balls up.”
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