The Princess of Wales has revealed she has taken up the sport of padel, playing with her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who are both in their 70s. Dubbed the 'world's fastest growing sport' and often described as a hybrid of tennis and squash, the racket game is typically played in doubles on a small court enclosed by glass.
Padel's Global Rise
Invented by a Mexican businessman in the 1960s, the sport has taken the globe by storm over the past few years, with celebrity fans including Lionel Messi and Andy Murray. Now, Kate, 44, has also shared how she's an admirer of the game.
Kate's Enthusiasm at Garden Party
Hosting a Buckingham Palace garden party alongside Prince William on Friday, the Princess spoke passionately about how much she enjoyed playing padel, although she admitted that tennis was her real love. Chatting to representatives from the Lawn Tennis Association, she asked: 'Have you adopted padel? I love padel, it's such a good game, such a great leveller for those who don't play tennis.' She told another guest: 'It's so sociable and all generations can play - I play with my parents.'
The Royal Garden Party
The Prince and Princess hosted the second garden party of the season on behalf of the King, supported by William's cousin, Zara Tindall, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Kate wore a pretty black and white hat with a matching Self Portrait dress and heels, a bracelet that belonged to Princess Diana and a pair of earrings belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth. William, 43, was dapper in morning dress, complete with a blue waistcoat and red tie.
Some 8,000 guests - many from charities the couple supports and people they have met during their roles as working royals - enjoyed tea and cakes on the lawn of the King's London residence in brilliant sunshine.
Family Anecdotes
Elsewhere, Kate joked William 'makes so much noise' when watching his beloved Aston Villa - as the couple hosted the garden party one day after watching his team reach the Europa League final. William admitted he had 'bags under the eyes', while the Princess revealed that she let her three children stay up to watch the game against Nottingham Forest on Thursday evening. 'They all make so much noise, even Louis,' she laughed. 'They wanted to go to the match but we let them stay up and watch it.'
She also chatted to one lady about the family's one-year-old puppy Otto, revealing that 'unfortunately' he had 'chewed quite a lot the other day'. 'You have to keep them busy,' she said. 'The first thing we do in the morning is check 'has anyone taken Otto out?''
Garden Party Traditions
Every summer, the King and royal family host a series of garden parties in London, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland. The King and Queen held a similar event earlier this week, joined by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Historically they served as presentation parties for the debutantes of high society, but now recognise and reward public service instead.
The party begins with the national anthem, before members of the royal family take to the lawns and greet guests. Typically more than 30,000 people are invited to the events each year. It's estimated that in total, guests consume 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake at each party.
Friday marked the second garden party of the year, with a third event at the palace to take place on Tuesday, May 12. The Edinburgh party will take place on June 30. There will also be two special events this summer, one on Thursday, May 14, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of King Charles' foundation The King's Trust, and a second the following week to support veterans' charity The Not Forgotten.
