Prince William and Princess Catherine Support Coach Corps Programme Celebrating Its 10th Anniversary

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen in public on Thursday as they travelled to the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London to support Coach Corps, a programme celebrating its 10th anniversary that trains young people to become coaches and encourages the next generation of athletes.

The royal couple looked perfectly polished with their outfits, with Princess Catherine wearing a vintage blue Chanel jacket and Prince William dressed in a dark blue suit with an accompanying light blue shirt.

In 2012, Prince William, Princess Catherine and Prince Harry founded the Coach Corps programme as part of the Royal Foundation.

The sporting initiative, which is now an autonomous organisation, was created in response to the London riots and to embody the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

Coach Corps is celebrating its 10th year and has helped over 750 underprivileged young people start meaningful careers with sports coaching apprenticeships.

The organisation is also backed by sports ambassadors such as England lionesses and Manchester City captain Stephen Houghton, six-times Olympic medallist Max Whitlock and tennis icon Judy Murray.

Upon arrival, the Princess was seen making a sweet gesture to the Prince as the couple waved to onlookers.

Catherine was photographed placing her hand and gently rubbing her husband's back before they shook hands with the charity's officials.

William and Catherine, both 40, are no strangers to getting a little competitive on royal outings, from joining different teams in sailing races to facing off in a sprint on a track.

The royal couple got involved with several young people associated with the charity and got a taste of some of the sports sessions offered.

Gary Laybourne, Coach Corps CEO, was also present during the event.

Throughout the years, the couple have been heavily involved in the charity.

Back in 2020, they reopened the Coach Corps Awards to celebrate the group's successes despite the coronavirus pandemic.

At the time, Prince William said, “this year more than any in the programme's history, Coach Corps' apprentices have had to overcome challenges, adapt and learn to be flexible in the face of difficulty.

I'm so proud both of your individual accomplishments this year and of Coach Corps itself.”

In 2018, Prince William and Princess Catherine visited South Essex Gymnastics Club, where they took part in a game of tennis and boccia, with Catherine competing in heels.

In 2017, Catherine visited the Aston Villa Football Club to see the work of Coach Corps in action, and a month earlier, she was joined by Prince William and Prince Harry at their annual awards ceremony.

Earlier today, Prince William awarded the Prince of Wales' faithful bodyguard, Sergeant Emma Probett, with a Royal Distinction.

Emma, who joined Catherine's Royal Protection Unit in 2010, was inducted into the Royal Victorian Order on the Queen's Birthday Honours List last year.

She was beaming as she got the honour from Prince William at Buckingham Palace today.

The title is bestowed upon persons who have rendered distinguished service to the monarch.

Since her marriage to Prince William in 2011, Emma has accompanied the Princess of Wales on numerous royal engagements.

Prior to joining Catherine's team, Probett was in charge of security for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The discreet figure has been responsible for the security of Mother of Three Catherine since her first steps into royal life, and had to step up to the mark in order to ensure the Princess remained safe on a number of occasions.

Sergeant Probett, a member of the Scotland Yards Protection Squad, is trained in martial arts and also carries a 9mm Glock pistol and a Taser stun gun at all times when with the royals.

She is also thought to wear a stab vest while on duty with the royals.

Yesterday, the Prince of Wales spoke with the Boston Mayor, Michelle Wu, via video chat, about the impending December Earthshot Prize Awards, which aims to identify solutions to the world's climate challenge.

Both William and Catherine were scheduled to fly to the summit last month, but were forced to cancel due to the passing of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

Instead, William addressed the crowd via video call, telling them that he will undoubtedly attend the ceremony at the end of the year.

He said, “Although it is the saddest circumstances that I am unable to join you today, I am able to join you in video form as you gather in New York for the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit.”

William continued, “During this time of grief, I take great comfort in your continued enthusiasm, optimism and commitment to the Earthshot Prize and what we are trying to achieve.

Protecting the environment was of course close to my grandmother's heart and I know she would be delighted to hear about this event and the support you are all giving the Earthshot Prize finalists, the next generation of environmental pioneers.