Kate Middleton and Prince William Compete Against Each Other and Celebrities in the King's Cup Regatta for Charity

Kate Middleton and Prince William recently competed in the King's Cup Regatta. The royal couple sailed against each other in an event supporting eight of their chosen charities, on the Isle of Wright.

In May, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced the launch of the King’s Cup. The aim of the event is to raise awareness and funds for eight of their chosen charities. The eight boats representing a different charity were each skipperd by Middleton, William and other celebrity guests.

The event was open to the public, who watched the regatta along the banks of Cowes foreshore. Other than the anticipation of the race itself, the arrival of Middleton and William had crowds lined up along the river banks.

Middleton and William arrived with their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. The family were dressed in nautical themed outfits; Charlotte and George wore blue and white stripped outfits. George accessorized his outfit with a sailor's captain hat.

Audiences watching the royal family arrive broke out into laughter after Middleton motioned for Charlotte to wave to the crowd and instead the young princess decided to stick out her tongue to the people watching below.

Watching the regatta from a nearby boat, Charlotte, Louis and George were accompanied by Middleton’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

The King’s Cup trophy was first awarded by King George V, in 1920. This year, television presenter and survival instructor, Bear Grylls and his team were awarded the King’s Cup for finishing in first place.

William led the team that came in third. The charities he was racing for included: Tusk, Child Bereavement UK, The London Air Ambulance Charity 30th Anniversary Campaign and Centrepoint.

Unfortunately for the Duchess, her team came in seventh. They were eventually disqualified for starting the race too early. She was racing for the Royal Foundation, Action on Addiction, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and Place2Be.

William cheerfully stood by her side as a giggly Middleton accepted the wooden spoon for coming in last.

Despite moving the event a day early to avoid bad weather conditions, Middleton and William managed to host a successful event. The King's Cup comes as part of many events the Duke and Duchess will host without Harry and Meghan. According to Town and Country, in a statement released by Kensington Palace, the magazine writes:

"Their Royal Highnesses hope that The King’s Cup will become an annual event, bringing greater awareness to the wider benefits of sport, whilst also raising support and funds for the causes that The Duke and Duchess support."

The launch of King’s Cup comes in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announcing that they have split from their shared charity with Middleton and William. The controversial decision is intended for Harry and Markle to establish a charity of their own.