I kind of love how Prince William looks like a giant dork in these photos. I mean that in a nice way – it would not be appropriate if William wandered around youth-centric events dressed like Justin Bieber (haha, can you imagine?!). He looks like what he is now – a father and an heir to the throne of the United Kingdom. Of course he would wear cashmere (is that cashmere?) and suede loafers to spend time with the “youths”. These photos are from William’s solo appearance yesterday at “a Coach Core apprentice training session at Westway Sports Centre in London.” And even though he looks dorky and cashmere-y, he still made an effort to wear more “sporting” clothes than Duchess Kate wore when she did a nearly identical event in October. Here’s more about the event, and some quotes from William about Prince George:
Prince George may have sporty parents, but his father sees only one game in his 4-month-old son’s immediate future.
“I think the only sport he will be good at is playing tiddlywinks,” Prince William joked to Ryan Gordon on Wednesday.
Gordon, 18, was among a group of budding sports coaches with whom William visited at Coach Core, a training and apprentice coach development program established by the prince, wife Kate and brother Prince Harry for 16- to 23-year-olds living in London’s most disadvantaged communities.
Wearing a blue sweater and slacks, William, 31, exhibited his volleyball skills and participated in drills at the Westway Sports Centre in west London, and even got an offer to improve them from one of the young coaches-to-be.
“I could offer him that help,” said 18-year-old Terrell Jordan from Battersea, south London.
Coach Core was set up in July 2012 by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
There are two pilot programs, in London and Glasgow, as well as a sister project in Harlem, which Prince Harry visited earlier this year.
“They want to get to know what we are doing and how we can improve,” said Robert Salteres, 25, who met William Wednesday, several months after meeting Harry.
Salteres, who hopes to be a baseball strength and conditioning coach in New York, said the initiative was also about creating job-orientated skills to aid employment hopes.
“It’s great for creating a positive cycle for youth who come through it,” he told PEOPLE.
While in London, Coach Core visitors visited the Tower of London and had a private tour of the public areas of Kensington Palace, where William and Kate just happen to live. They didn’t hear any cries from baby Prince George, but they did catch up on some history.
Salteres told PEOPLE, “We joked with the prince about how old everything was and how the buildings were older than our country and he said, ‘Yes, you have nothing as old as that!’ “
So… Salteres is an American? Did I miss where that was established? I guess so – Salteres is part of the Harlem initiative, I guess. Is Kensington Palace really older than America? Hm, let me look that up… its first incarnations were in the 17th century, so yes… it is older than America as a nation.
Incidentally, William and Kate will be attending a royal (charity) premiere of Mandela: long Walk to Freedom tonight in London. They are the guests of honor at a screening which will benefit “the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, which supports industry employees in times of hardship” and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Pres. Obama also had a special screening of the film last month.
PS… Look how crazy-high Prince William can jump!!! It’s a shame Brits aren’t into basketball, William probably would have been a great baller.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Aww, cute! I want to see him at more events like this, especially because you really can tell that he’s not as natural and relaxed as his brother, but he really tries!
I agree with you. Also both William and Kate look so much more relaxed and happy when they are doing engagements alone and not together, which is something I find very weird.
I don’t think it’s that they are not as relaxed and happy when they are together. It’s that when WE see them together it is at some event usually filled with protocol, cameras, and expectations of both royals and the citizenry (as well as much of the rest of the world watching, too, actually), with the Queen there watching, as well. How would anyone actually look relaxed for one of those? It’s supremely unfair to judge their relationship based on their apparent level of relaxation at official events (which take place in public).
Adorkable 😀
Nice one!
Ha! Exactly!
Can’t beat that one with a stick!
His dorkiness is about the only thing that makes him adorable, I like the photos.
I don’t understand why these Royals with all the money they have still walk around with yellow teeth!?
Kate’s the only one with veneers I think. The rest of them probably think of it as American or something.
Or they’re just very comfortable with themselves.
People from other countries prefer leave their teeth natural looking. My stepmother went and had her teeth all done, they are now blazing white and everyone thinks she looks like an American now…. (we’re Canadian)
Of course the local dentists are flogging the tooth whitening systems but they don’t get very many takers.
But my gosh your teeth don’t have to be blue white or yellow. They can be a fresh, clean looking natural white which can be achieved at any dentist office. Even the healthiest person will have some yellowing due to age and the Royals smoke and drink a lot of tea and coffee. Therefore, some whitening would not hurt. Kate teeth are so white you can see them even when her mouth is closed and I agree that that is not necessary but my gosh, yellow teeth are inexcusable, especially when the individual has a high public profile. JMho.
Kate’s been averaging 1.5 events a week since the christening, and I think William’s one the same pace plus a few more. Do we think this is the new normal?
Sorry, I think your math is off.
I was surprised enough by their attendance at the diplomatic reception to check the court circular. She had six separate events in November. They were all in London — no all-day visits or anything like that — but it was definitely six in four weeks. I think she’s got four on the December calendar, too, and there was that reception the day after the christening back in October, too.
Could they actually be going to work at last? Or is this some sort of blip on the radar?
Ellen
As i’ve learned… the circular can print a schedule, but it doesn’t guarantee all those visits will happen. And the number of events scheduled rises for a few reasons.
1. There’s a scandal and they need the good press.
2. Harry is doing something that makes them look lazy (which he is right now).
3. There’s a vacation coming up.
If 1 of these 3 things is happening we see them out in the public more. This formula has yet to prove me wrong.
I only looked at the list of what had already happened, and for all but one of those events, there are photos (they hosted a reception for their charities that could have been just a look-in during a scheduling meeting for all we know). So I know my math is solid: she’s been out a lot more lately than in the past.
William and Kate have done a ridiculously minimal amount of royal “work” since their marriage and at some point, that will have to change. I’m just watching to see if the move to London and KP is the start of that, or whether — as you say — it’s a blip generated by “competition” from Harry and/or an upcoming vacation.
I’ll also be very curious to see how the next two Christmases work out: who spends what time, where.
Ellen: In addition to what Florc said, there is a flurry of activities at the end of each year as it closes. That’s been the pattern every year since they married. Last year was an anomaly due to the ‘HG’ for Kate.
I am hopeful that their move to KP will see a change in their working lives…..as ever with these 2, wait and see.
I think someone got a talking to. Perhaps after the Anglesey trial balloon was floated.
While I do believe that William and Kate I disinclined to work I also feel that they are following the mandate of Prince Charles. They are spoiled and indulged but they are not rebellious to the point of not doing what Charles or the queen would ask them to do. William is very obstinate and determined but there’s no evidence to suggest that he has a poor relationship with his father or his grandmother. He may not be as relaxed and natural as his brother but I don’t see William or Kate digging in their heels and refusing to work knowing that it would piss off dad and grandmom in addition William finds himself in a very different position from his father or his brother. Charles lived his entire life being first in line to the throne which requires far more of an industrious public profile and still look how long he has had to wait. William on the other hand has been third in line almost all of his life and will still have to be second for possibly another 10 years or so. He will be first in line to the thrown for probably another 15 years or so after that. There simply is no need to rush. Charles probably what’s William and Kate to spend a lot of time relaxing and raising their children. Again, just my opinion
I love that he mentions tiddlywinks. I loved that as a child. Does anyone still play that?
Every time the power goes out! Cribbage is a fun one too.
He looks better in photos like this, versus the posed ones where he can look stiff and uncomfortable. I recently saw him in a tv interview where he was animated, interesting and very handsome and you could really tell that he’s his mother’s son. He’s far handsomer than he appears in photos, the still camera just doesn’t seem to pick it up.
I’ve always had such a soft spot for Wills and Harry, Diana would be so proud of them.
Dorky all the way, but so endearing. Diana did good with those boys.