Sporty Kate! As the Princess of Wales is seen ‘out and about’ with family amid cancer treatment, how she has bossed abseiling, cricket and running (but did lose a race against Prince William)

Since her cancer diagnosis announcement that shocked the world in March, the Princess of Wales has been out of the public eye. 

But there was a positive sign about her recovery this week with news that she has been seen out and about more with family in recent weeks.

It will leave many royals fans hoping that Kate can get back to her all-action, sporty best. 

At previous engagements she has enjoyed abseiling, tennis, football and even a foot race with her husband Prince William and his now-estranged brother Prince Harry – as we outline below. 

Kate has always had a strong competitive streak and sprinted in a race against Prince William and Prince Harry in 2017

Abseiling

Kate has tried out abseiling more than once – and has proven herself to be a dab hand at the pursuit. 

In an engagement with Air Cadets in Cumbria in 2021, she put her skills into practice with ease.

She looked relaxed khaki puffer jacket and white helmet as she chatted to the cadets before easing herself down the rock face at Cathedral Quarry in Little Langdale.

Kate has tried out abseiling more than once – and has proven herself to be a dab hand at the pursuit. In an engagement with Air Cadets in Cumbria in 2021, she put her skills into practice with ease 

The princess, who is Honorary Air Commandant of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, also chatted to recruits. 

The Princess of Wales dusted off her abseiling knowledge again in April last year when she linked up with the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team in Wales.

Putting safety first, the princess wore a helmet, a bright red jacket and practical hiking boots.

She looked confident as she carefully lowered herself down a rocky edge with Prince William, who is patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales.

She looked relaxed khaki puffer jacket and white helmet as she chatted to the cadets before easing herself down the rock face at Cathedral Quarry in Little Langdale 

The Princess of Wales dusted off her abseiling knowledge again in April last year when she linked up with the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team in Wales 

Putting safety first, the princess wore a helmet, a bright red jacket and practical hiking boots

The Princess of Wales, known for always getting involved in anything sporty or outdoors, pictured as she abseils down a quarry 

Tennis

In September 2021, Kate impressed US Open champion Emma Raducanu at an official ‘homecoming’ organised by the Lawn Tennis Association, which the princess is a patron of. 

Kate played doubles with the tennis star and even earned a compliment from her. Raducanu said Kate’s forehand was ‘incredible’.

She eagerly swung her Babolat racket wearing a Poivre Blanc top and skirt, as well as trainers designed by Roger Federer.

The Princess also played alongside US Open doubles champion Joe Salisbury and his fellow players Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, who were both silver medalists at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Kate had played tennis earlier that year with local school children as part of the LTA youth programme in Edinburgh.

In September 2021, Kate impressed tennis champion Emma Raducanu and even earned a compliment, with Emma saying, ‘Her forehand was incredible!’

Kate playing tennis earlier in 2021 with local school children as part of the LTA youth programme in Edinburgh

Sailing regatta

Keen to get stuck in on both land and at sea, Kate went head to head with William at a charity sailing regatta. 

The family attended the King’s Cup regatta at Cowes, Isle of Wight on August 8, 2019 and soon the princess was the skipper of a boat. 

Prince George and Princess Charlotte cheered their parents on as they competitively sailed. 

Despite being seen with face of fierce concentration as she worked with her team, she came last in the race and was awarded a giant wooden spoon, much to her amusement.

Keen to get stuck in on both land and at sea, Kate went head to head with William at a charity sailing regatta off the Isle of Wight in 2019 

The family attended the King’s Cup regatta at Cowes, Isle of Wight on August 8, 2019 and soon the princess was the skipper of a boat 

Despite being seen with face of fierce concentration as she worked with her team, she came last in the race and was awarded a giant wooden spoon, much to her amusement

Football 

Sport fanatic Kate was in her element during a visit to Belfast’s Windsor Park stadium on February 27, 2019.

She got stuck in with excited school children and showed off her footballing skills in a spirited kickaround. 

She wore a relaxed cream jumper and played alongside William, kicking the ball and running around the pitch with the youngsters. 

Sport-fanatic Kate was in her element during a visit to Belfast’s Windsor Park stadium on February 27, 2019

She got stuck in with excited school children and showed off her footballing skills in a spirited kickaround

Running

In perhaps one of the royal couple’s more iconic moments, Kate raced William and Harry during a training day for their Heads Together team for the London Marathon at the Olympic Park on February 5, 2017.

Showing her competitive streak, the princess sprinted down the track in a red quilted jacket, black jeans and trainers. 

At the start of the race it looked as though Kate might be taking the lead and had a shot at winning.

However, despite her best efforts, the princess was toon overtaken by her husband and brother-in-law. 

Kate raced William and Harry during a training day for the Heads Together team for the London Marathon at Olympic Park in 2017

Showing her competitive streak, the princess sprinted down the track in a red quilted jacket, black jeans and trainers

Cricket 

Swinging like a natural, Kate enjoyed a game of cricket with India’s former captain Sachin Tendulkar during a visit to Mumbai’s iconic Oval Maidan recreation ground in April 2016.

She confidently batted the balls and fielded in front of Indian children, prompting Tendulkar to call her ‘very, very sporty’. 

The athletic princess also did other sporty drills with William – all while wearing a stunning dress by Mumbai designer Anita Dongre.

During the royal tour, the event was arranged for them to meet representatives and children from three charities – school transport organisation Magic Bus, the Door Step School and India’s Childline. 

Swinging like a natural, Kate enjoyed a game of cricket with India’s former captain Sachin Tendulka in 2016

She confidently batted the balls and fielded in front of Indian street children leaving the legendary cricketer impressed and saying how she ‘very, very sporty’

Hockey

A year after marrying William, Kate got stuck in with a game of hockey at her old prep school, St Andrew’s in Berkshire, in November 2012. 

She opened the new Astroturf pitch during the visit and grabbed a hockey stick to join in with the fun. 

Perhaps not best dressed for a competitive sports game, the princess was wearing a tweed coat and high heeled boots but did not let her outfit choice stop her.

She confidently hit the ball around the pitch and played with the thrilled school children.  

Kate got stuck in with a game of hockey at her old prep school, St Andrew’s in Berkshire, in November 2012

Perhaps not best dressed for a competitive sports game, the princess was wearing a tweed coat and high heeled boots but did not let her outfit choice stop her