Anchors Aweigh: The Cambridges Take To The Sea For The King's Cup Regatta

It was a day of family fun and sailing as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted the inaugural King's Cup regatta in the seaport town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The event was held in support of eight of their charitable causes.

Kate looked tanned with long wavy hair upon arrival.

It marks the Cambridges' first public engagement since they attended the Wimbledon final last month. Since then, they have been on summer break and enjoyed a fortnight on the paradise island of Mustique, with the Middletons, where they celebrated Prince George's 6th birthday. We've seen changes in William and Kate's summer schedule in recent years, mostly due to the school calendar. This summer also saw William and Harry vastly reduce their polo commitments. The polo games are a very effective means of raising significant sums. With the princes stepping back from their 'white trousers' appearances we're going to see other means of raising much needed funds such as today's regatta. The King's Cup promises to be an annual means of supporting charities closest to their hearts.

The regatta was originally due to take place tomorrow, however due to adverse weather conditions it was rescheduled for today. Kensington Palace said: "The eight boats taking part in The King’s Cup will each represent one of the charities that are being supported this year by Their Royal Highnesses. The Duke and Duchess are strong advocates for sport, and have undertaken work both in the UK and overseas to highlight the positive impact that sport can have on the individual and within local communities. The Duchess in particular champions how the benefits of sport, nature and the outdoors can impact childhood development, and lead to improved physical and mental wellbeing for all. Their Royal Highnesses hope that The King’s Cup will become an annual event, bringing greater awareness to the wider benefits of sport, whist also raising support and funds for the causes that the Duke and Duchess support."

The Palace continued: "The King’s Cup, of which Land Rover is Presenting Partner, will take place ahead of the inaugural Cowes SailGP and Cowes Week. Members of the public are invited to watch the race from the SailGP Race Village, which will be free to access and include a 500-seater grandstand. Footage from the race will play on large screens with live commentary, and there will be a number of activities for families to enjoy along the waterfront."

The event saw the Duke and Duchess go head to head as skippers of state of the art Fast 40 boats. William sailed on behalf of his patronage Child Bereavement UK and Kate in support of her early years initiative with the Royal Foundation.

The other six boats sailed for Kate's patronages Action on Addiction, the Anna Freud Centre, Place2Be and William's charities Centrepoint, the London Air Ambulance Charity 30th Anniversary Campaign, and Tusk.

Six well-known faces joined the royal couple to represent the other six charities. Footballer Fara Williams competed on behalf of Centrepoint. Television presenter and historian Dan Snow joined on behalf of London’s Air Ambulance Charity; and adventurer Bear Grylls represented Tusk. For Kate's charities, comedian John Bishop supported Place2Be, radio presenter Katie Thistleton was there for Place2Be and professional rower Helen Glover represented the Anna Freud Centre. Below, the Duke and Duchess with the ambassadors.

The Duchess on the Royal Foundation boat.

There was a very special surprise in store...

...George and Charlotte were spotted watching the action with Michael and Carole Middleton. According to reporter Catherine Wylie, Louis was also there. George was in a nautical H&M t-shirt and a striking Captain's hat.

Charlotte has changed so much over the past year, the four-year-old is preparing to start a new adventure at Thomas's Battersea next month.

Caroline notes Charlotte wore a blue stripe Ralph Lauren dress.

A classic George expression. Doesn't this bring you back to the 2014 Australia/New Zealand tour?

Mike and Carole were joined by a group of parents and other children on the boat.

Embed from Getty Images

George enjoys the sailing with Mike keeping a watchful eye.

The Place2Be cheer squad.

An overview shared by London's Air Ambulance Charity.

The day of sailing was organised with the Royal Yacht Squadron. The clubhouse is located in Cowes Castle and has been at the heart of sailing for over two centuries. Her Majesty is patron of the RYS and Prince Philip is the club's Admiral.

Country Life has a fascinating piece with facts on the club's maritime history:

• The Royal Yacht Squadron was established on June 1, 1815, at the Thatched House Tavern in St James’s, London W1. Originally named The Yacht Club, it comprised 42 gentlemen members, who agreed to meet twice a year to discuss their mutual interest over dinner.
• At first, it was mandatory to own a vessel ‘not under 10 tons’. This was changed to ‘gentlemen actively interested in yachting’ when lightweight construction became more commonplace
• Members’ yachts are awarded the suffix RYS. In 1829, the Admiralty issued a warrant for them to fly what is now the Navy’s White Ensign rather than the merchant Red Ensign displayed by most other UK-registered vessels.
• The Yacht Club became ‘Royal’ when the Prince Regent, a member, became George IV in 1820; 13 years later, it was renamed The Royal Yacht Squadron by command of William IV.

Step back almost a century to 1922 to watch footage of King George V (William and Harry's great-great-grandfather) and Queen Mary at the Royal Cowes Regatta.

There were two races in total. In the first, William finished third and Kate seventh. In the second race Kate's boat was disqualified for starting too early, meaning they came last. William's team took third joint place in the end. The Tusk team led by Bear Grylls claimed first place in the end.

Emily Nash shared a video of George and Charlotte with their parents before the prizegiving ceremony.

WATCH: Cheeky Charlotte! This is a bit dark, but Kate just brought George and Charlotte to wave to the crowd from the window above the prizegiving stage. She poked her tongue out instead!! pic.twitter.com/0IwMChG6Jm

— Emily Nash (@emynash) August 8, 2019

There's a funny moment where Kate tells Charlotte to wave and she pokes her tongue out.

Kate, Carole and Catherine Quinn quickly encouraged another try at the wave instead :)

More from Hello's! Emily Nash:

The winning team were awarded The King’s Cup, a historic trophy first presented by King George V at Cowes’ Royal Yacht Squadron in 1920. Just two years before the video above was filmed.

Below, The King is pictured here at Cowes’ Royal Yacht Squadron in 1924.

Bear Grylls was thrilled to accept the trophy on behalf of Tusk.

As the skipper of the boat which came last, Kate received a wooden spoon. She was a great sport and had a good laugh with William about it.

More from The Telegraph:

'There was competition on the high seas, a comical prize-giving, and one very realistic pirate. In short: everything needed for a fun family day out. So when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went to work to raise a million pounds for charity in their inaugural King’s Cup sailing race, it was just as well Prince George and Princess Charlotte were on hand to make it a day to remember.

As the Duchess shook her head, compère Dan Snow said: “This is the first time the Duchess has ever finished last in anything, I can guarantee. So you’d better enjoy it because it will never happen again.”

Accepting the winners’ trophy, Grylls spoke of the “incredible work” of Tusk and praised the Duke and Duchess’ “vision and inspiration” in setting up the event. In an unexpected aside, he added from the stage: “And also, Prince George: your first ant you ate today! And that is a great moment. Well done you. What a guy!”

Kensington Palace tweeted "It's the taking part that counts".

It's all in aid of wonderful causes. Well done to all who participated today!

There's very nice footage from the day below.

For Kate's arrival outfit, the Duchess wore the Striped Knit Top by Sandro (with thanks to Caroline). The terracotta, navy and white stripe top features short sleeves and ruffles on the sleeve ends and hem. It's reduced from $190 to $95 at Orchard Mile. 

Kate brought back her LK Bennett Parker trousers. Described as: "Inspired by vintage design, the Parker high-waisted trousers are a modern take on 70s tailoring. Detailed with four buttons across the high waist".

Kate wore her Superga Cotu sneakers. They are available in a number of colours at Nordstrom.

The Duchess accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Lauren earrings.

Shortly afterwards, Kate changed into a King's Cup polo t-shirt and shorts in preparation for sailing. Middleton Maven notes the Duchess wore the Gill Women's Team Softshell Jacket.

And a new pair of grey New Balance trainers. Laura notes they are available in limited sizing, reduced to £42, on the New Balance website.

And Katie identified their King's Cup caps as customised version of the Gill Marine Race Cap.

Did you enjoy the inaugural regatta?