On Your Mark, Get Set…

The young royals were on the GO today in the name of all things sporty. Aside from that God awful time when Twitter was down today, William, Catherine and Harry completely flooded my timeline. I would like to think it was Will’s football skills (or lack there of as he would say), Kate’s fabulous dress and Harry’s overall hotness that broke the Twitterverse.

Earlier this morning as I curled my hair and prepared to head off to work, the trio was already looking beautiful as they headed out to Bacon’s College in Rotherhithe (South East London), to launch Coach Core, a charitable parternship between their charitable foundation and Greenhouse. (Side note: Greenhouse is a fantastic organization that inspires young people to be all that they can be through the power of sport).

Once again, Kate proved she is the true fashion ring leader of the bunch as she resurrected an “old and casual” (the palace’s term, not mine!) Hobbs dress. The grey and white patterned frock paired with beige wedges made for a perfect summer look that has the fashion world (okay, maybe just the fashion world on Twitter), buzzing with envy. Bad news, ladies – the ‘Wessex’ dress, although heavily discounted, is sold out. If this is “casual” and “sporty” then I suddenly feel real badly about the way I look when I hit the gym.

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On the other hand, my favorite pair of brothers were wearing some silly belts. William and Harry are both so well dressed most of the time (tan linen suit anyone?) but those belts..well, they weren’t much better than Harry’s basketball skills.

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While Kate dominated table tennis (in wedges!) and refereed a judo match (no chance she was trying that in a dress), William hit the football pitch and Harry tried his hand at hoops – “tried” being the operative word here. Poor Prince Hottie, he can score big with the ladies but not so much on the court.

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Many thanks to @RoyalReporter for keeping us all well informed on some of the light-hearted moments and top quotes of the day…

“Watching me on the football field is never a pretty sight – the expression giraffe on ice springs to mind. ” – Prince William on his football skills

“However it is marginally less embarrassing than seeing my brother cheat his way to becoming the fastest man on the planet! ” – Prince William on his brother’s race against Usain Bolt in Jamaica

“Catherine, on the other hand, with a tennis racquet or a hockey stick is something to behold and be aware of.” – Prince William on his wife’s athletic skills. Can I get a collective “aw” here?

One young boy asked William and Harry – “Are you two brothers?” Harry responded – “We’re not sure.”

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Later in the day it was off to Buckingham Palace to welcome the flame – and I’m not talking about Harry’s (adorable) red hair. Prince Harry welcomed the Olympic Torch –  second hottest thing in London – to the palace alongside fellow Team GB Olympic Ambassadors The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

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There are those darn belts again! Oh well, the official shirts do look nice. Props to @RegalEyes who called it days ago that we would be seeing a lot of IOC official shirts on the fashionable royals over the next two weeks. As always, Kate can make anything look great – pairing the polo with figure-hugging bright blue jeans (LOVE) and Stuart Weitzman wedges.

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A rather touching moment came via a special request from Prince William. John Hulse, a team leader with the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organization, had asked for a rescuer to take one of the torch bearer roles as it passed through London; William is a patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales.

This is just the beginning! Next stop… the Opening Ceremony!

Put Me in Coach, I’m Ready to Play!

As if the Summer Olympics were not exciting enough, the International Olympic Committee honored London with hosting duties this year. Then, as if of two weeks of non-stop television coverage of my favorite city in the world wasn’t enough, the young royals stepped up to the plate as Team GB Olympic Ambassadors. Bottom line, if I could take two weeks off from work to do nothing but watch the Games..I would. Okay, if I’m wishing for things just give me a first class ticket to London with VIP passes to all of the main events.

So, if Aladdin’s magic lamp appeared on my front porch today and Genie sent me off to London, what events would I want complete access to? Lucky for me, William, Catherine and Harry made that decision very easy as the palace released the complete list of the events they will be attending yesterday.

To kick things off, Queen Elizabeth II will officially open the 2012 Summer Olympic Games at Friday’s opening ceremony, accompanied by senior members of the firm. This would actually be the perfect occasion for William to wear his signature navy suit and maroon tie that he wears 99% of the time. (Sorry Will!) I am also really hoping to see Kate in red – what do you think?

Over the next couple of weeks, the three musketeers will be actively participating in all aspects of the Games, from attending sporting events to meeting athletes and behind-the-scenes workers in the Olympic Village. If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the young royals, look no further than the following itinerary:

Prince Harry

• 30 July – Equestrian events at Greenwich, men’s 10m diving and visit Team GB House

• 31 July – Equestrian events at Greenwich and awarding of medals, visit the Athletes’ Village

• 2 August –  School Games reception at Clarence House

• 3 August –  Equestrian, Greenwich

• 5 August –  Athletics and men’s 100m final, Olympic Park

• 8 August –  Beach Volleyball, Horseguards Parade

• 9 August – Team GB visit. Athletics, Olympic Park

• 12 August –  Closing Ceremony

Prince William

• 28 July/29 July – Equestrian events at Greenwich

• 29 July – Team GB Football at Wembley

• 30 July – Equestrian events at Greenwich and visit Team GB House

• 31 July – Equestrian events at Greenwich and awarding of medals, visit the Athletes’ Village

• 2 – August Tennis at Wimbledon

• 3 – August Equestrian dressage, Greenwich. Swimming, Olympic Park

• 5 – August Athletics including men’s 100m final at Olympic Park

Catherine

• 30 July – Equestrian events, Greenwich. Reception at The Royal Academy of Arts

• 2 August –  Tennis at Wimbledon

• 3 August –  Swimming at Olympic Park

• 4 August – Hockey at Olympic Park

• 5 August – Athletics at Olympic Park and Gymnastics and visit Team GB House

• 6 August –  Sailing, Weymouth.

• 9 August – Synchronised Swimming, Olympic Park

• 11 August – Men’s 10m Diving, Olympic Park.

• 12 August – Closing Ceremony

As you can see, you are bound to catch Princes William and Harry and Duchess Catherine on almost any given day throughout the Olympics. Although Harry and Catherine will be among the family members in attendance for the closing ceremony and at this point, William will not.

 Prince Charles and his wife, The Duchess of Cornwall, will also take part in the sporting festivities at the end of July, including cycling, badminton and equestrian.

Don’t forget – Zara Phillips will be competing as part of Team GB’s equestrian team, so you will also see her mother, Princess Anne, showing her support.

 Of course, all royal appearances are subject to change. Prince Harry could always end up whisking away the losing pair at women’s volleyball on a romantic getaway and never returning. William could decide to jump back in the pool and try to make it as a professional water polo player. Kate could pick up a hockey stick and trade in royal life for the chance at gold. One out of the three has the potential to actually happen.

And if we are all very lucky, maybe there will be a repeat of my favorite royal moment of 2012.

 

Chris Jackson, Getty Images