The Prince and Princess of Wales embraced a quintessentially Scottish sporting tradition during a visit to Stirling, taking to the ice for a curling session with elite athletes.
A Royal Sporting Encounter
Kate and William visited the National Curling Academy in Stirling, where they met members of both the Team GB and Paralympics GB curling squads. The engagement comes just weeks before the athletes depart for the Winter Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina, scheduled for February and March 2026.
Testing Their Skills on the Ice
The royal couple did not merely observe from the sidelines. They actively participated, taking to the specially prepared ice sheets to test their curling skills alongside some of Britain's top players. The session provided a light-hearted yet insightful glimpse into the precision and technique required by the sport.
Following their time on the ice, Kate and William took the opportunity to speak with local community members at the sports centre. They shared anecdotes about their curling experience with children, highlighting the visit's community engagement aspect.
Words of Encouragement from the Royals
Bruce Mouat, skip of the men's curling team and a mixed doubles athlete, expressed his appreciation for the royal visit. "It was wonderful, really nice that they came to wish us good luck for the next month we are about to embark on," he said. "Both of them were lovely and willing to curl."
Mouat added a significant detail about the couple's support, noting, "They said they would be watching the games, which means a lot to us." Such royal endorsement is often seen as a morale boost for athletes competing on the world stage.
The Home of British Curling
The National Curling Academy, which opened in August 2017 ahead of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, serves as a dedicated high-performance facility for British Curling. Its establishment addressed a critical need, providing athletes with consistent, year-round access to competition-standard ice—a resource that was historically scarce within the UK.
A Sport Steeped in History
Curling boasts a rich heritage, with its origins tracing back to 16th-century Scotland. From these humble beginnings, it has evolved into one of the most successful winter disciplines for both Team GB and Paralympics GB. The British curling teams have an impressive medal haul, having secured six Olympic and two Paralympic medals to date, cementing the nation's status in the sport.
The royal visit to Stirling not only offered support to departing athletes but also celebrated this deep-seated sporting connection between the monarchy, Scotland, and a globally competitive winter sport.
