Prince William and Princess Kate tried their hand at shinty during their first royal visit to the Isle of Bute in Scotland, with William’s reaction to his wife catching royal watchers’ attention.
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit Bute Shinty Club during a royal visit to the Isle of Bute
The way people interact can reveal plenty about their relationship – and the Prince and Princess of Wales are no exception. As Kate tried her hand at shinty during a visit to Scotland, royal watchers were drawn to William’s expression as he watched his wife in action.
The couple were making their first royal visit to the Isle of Bute on Thursday, September 17. Their outing followed a trip to Iona and Mull in the Inner Hebrides last year, when they got a taste of the local enthusiasm for the sport.
At Bute Shinty Club, which serves as both a sporting venue and a social hub, William and Kate chatted to players past and present. Kate was keen to get involved, picking up a curved stick called a caman and the small leather ball before declaring: “I want to give it a go.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales, participates on the pitch, while visiting Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay
After joining locals on the sidelines to watch an under-17s match, the royals stepped up to take penalty shots themselves. It soon became clear that getting stick to ball would take a little practice from both of them.
William barely shifted the ball with his first attempt, but drew a delighted response from spectators when he landed a solid hit. Kate also swung and missed before finding her touch, sending her next shot hurtling towards the goalkeeper to cheers from the crowd.
She continued to fire shots at the goal, nearly striking the press closest to the netting, for which she apologised, saying “sorry”.
Kate looked effortlessly stylish and seasonally appropriate, stunning in a chocolate brown Burberry trench coat – priced at a hefty £1,895 – a green roll-neck jumper and dark jeans for the visit.
But one particular moment from the visit captured the attention of royal watchers, with observers noting how Prince William was gazing at his wife as she demonstrated her sporting prowess.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, participate in the sport on the pitch, while visiting Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay, during a royal visit to the Isle of Bute on September 17, 2026 in Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland. The Prince and Princess of Wales, who also hold the titles of TheDuke and Duchess of Rothesay, visited the island to celebrate community, connection and volunteering.
One individual shared an image of Kate playing shinty while several players, including her husband, looked on from the sidelines. The admirer commented: “All the men are in awe! Look at Prince William’s face.”
The pair subsequently took part in a coastal rubbish collection, with William climbing into the driver’s seat of a tractor used for the clean-up operation while Kate stood alongside him.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Sussex, whom the King has stressed is no longer a working royal, made his first public appearance since his return to Britain at the debut Invictus Spirit Awards in London.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the Invictus Games Foundation’s inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards at Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich on September 17, 2026 in London, England.
Harry attended the event at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, south-east London, wearing formal evening dress and his military decorations.
During a champagne reception in a neighbouring courtyard, he informed attendees he was “incredibly excited” to meet the winners and nominees, having served on the judging panel alongside the Duchess of Sussex for the honours.
