Prince William and Duchess Catherine have wasted no time getting stuck into their four-day tour of Sweden and Norway.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited an outdoor ice-rink in the centre of Stockholm on Tuesday to learn more about one of the region’s most popular sports: bandy hockey. They were all smiles as they took to the court — sticks in hand — for a friendly penalty shootout.
Despite having been hockey captain at school and impressing onlookers with her technique, Kate came in second to William — losing 2-1.
Anna Widing, 29, an international Bandy player, later revealed that she had expected the five-months pregnant royal to take out the game.
“Kate had played field hockey and I was expecting her to be good – and she was very good,” she said, adding: “She knew how to hold the stick and she had a very good swing. I was impressed.”
Ms Widing also spoke about the couple’s competitive streak, saying: “I could see that maybe they like to beat each other. Also they were pushing each other to do well.”
Kate and Wills flexed their hockey skills as they took part in a penalty shoot out at an outdoor ice-rink in the centre of Stockholm.
The city rolled out the red carpet for the royal couple… literally!
Kate, who will soon welcome her third little prince or princess, kept warm in a shearling-lined coat from Burberry.
Kate, 36, who is expecting her third little prince or princess in April, kept things cozy in a black shearling-lined coat by Burberry, dark jeans and a sweater by Swedish designer Fjallraven for the game. She accented the look with a grey marled beanie (pom-pom included!) and a sensible pair of snow boots.
Meanwhile, Wills, 35, braved the subzero temperatures in a slim snow jacket, chino pants and a Fair Isle beanie.
They duo touched down in Scandinavia late on Monday night via a private charter plane, and are staying at the residence of the British ambassador in Stockholm.
According to Hello Magazine, the doting parents waited until the end of the school day to leave London, so that they could say one final farewell to their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte before embarking on the short trip.
WATCH: George and Charlotte have won the hearts of many with their adorable antics. Post continues…
Kate and Wills also dropped by the city’s national museum of architecture and design, where they met with Marcus Engman — Ikea’s head of design.
Mr Engman showed the couple around an exhibition of a competition for young Swedish designers which the iconic company has been involved with since it began 20 years ago. It was at this point that the pair revealed that even they have Ikea furniture at home in Kensington Palace, in Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s rooms!
“They revealed that they have Ikea pieces for the children’s rooms,” Mr Engman said.
“I’m proud that we can suit everybody,” he continued. “That’s what we want Ikea to be – for the many people of the world, both royalty and ordinary people.”
It’s remains unclear who was tasked with putting together the notoriously difficult flat pack designs!
The couple also stopped by the city’s national museum of architecture and design, where they revealed they have Ikea furniture in their royal home.
Cheers!
The Duke and Duchess have since made their way to the royal palace for a luncheon hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia and 15 other members of the royal court — including Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel.
Following the lunch, William, Kate, Victoria and Daniel walked the city’s cobbled streets to Stortorget — the oldest square in Stockholm and a popular tourist attraction. It’s the first time the two couples have caught up together publicly since Victoria and Daniel attended William and Kate’s wedding in 2011.
Crow Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel accompanied the beloved duo as they walked the city’s cobbled streets to Stortorget.
A vast crowd of flag waving fans and well-wishers turned out to catch a glimpse of the expectant royal.
Kate and Wills are soon expected to rub shoulders with stars Stellan Skarsgård and Alicia Vikander during a swanky black tie dinner at the residence of the British Ambassador.
Norwegian fans needn’t fret — in the coming days, Wills and Kate will undoubtedly be dazzled by Oslo’s stunning views, a ski jump at Holmenkollen and a visit at the Hartvig Nissen School, where the popular teen drama Skam is filmed.
More as we get it.
