The Princess of Wales was seen engrossed in conversation with Sir Chris Hoy at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
Sir Chris, arguably Britain’s greatest ever cyclist, has terminal stage four prostate cancer, while the future Queen underwent six months of chemotherapy two years ago.
A video of their lengthy chat in Glasgow over the weekend has gone viral, with many fans commenting on the warm exchange, which is likely to be related to cancer, his health and his family.
After saying goodbye to Sir Chris, Prince William, 44, led Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and eight-year-old Prince Louis to their car.
But Kate respectfully continued her conversation with the cycling legend, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, which was found to be terminal the following year. He has said himself he was given between two and four years to live after the disease spread to his bones.
The future Queen continued speaking with the Olympian while a bodyguard waited patiently by the door.
Kate looked ‘genuinely engrossed in the conversation’ with Sir Chris, 50, one X user wrote, while another declared this was ‘one thing amongst many’ that makes Prince William’s wife ‘so loved’.
The Scotsman, who was made an MBE in 2005 for services to cycling, shares a friendship with Kate, who invited Sir Chris to her annual Together at Christmas carol concert in 2024 after revealing she had completed chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.
The six-time Olympic gold medallist was supported by his wife, Sarra.
For Saturday’s engagement, the Princess mixed and matched pieces from American brands with accessories from some of her most-worn homegrown labels.
Kate, who was named last week by Tatler magazine as the ‘Best Dressed in Britain’, styled an impeccably tailored green Ralph Lauren blazer with a striped sweater vest from La Ligne NYC and a flowing white skirt for a look that felt polished yet effortless.
She wore a pair of tan slingback pumps from the British designer Camilla Elphick and finished the outfit with a small, handwoven tote handbag from Anya Hindmarch as well as jewellery from Kiki McDonough and Daniella Draper.
The princess picked one of her signature hairstyles for the occasion, as she wore her bronde locks in mermaid waves, while keeping her makeup looking fresh, dewy and natural.
Princess Charlotte wore a polka-dot navy blue dress and took after her mother and had her hair curled for the occasion.
Her two brothers wore smart blue and white shirts, while William also opted for a smart blazer.
Kate and William – who are known by their Scottish titles, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, when visiting the country – and their children attended the penultimate day of the ‘Friendly Games’ in Glasgow.
The family joined spectators, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, to watch a packed sporting schedule involving the world’s best competitors.
Prince George, who celebrated his 13th birthday last week, was pictured sitting next to his father, William.
William was spotted chatting to his sons throughout the match, pointing at the players and explaining the play.
Charlotte, meanwhile, regularly turned to speak to Kate, whispering to her mother during the match.
The royals also met Team Wales athletes and their families on Saturday.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis revealed their favourite sports as they sat and chatted with the sportsmen and women on what was the final stop of their busy day at the Commonwealth Games.
And when Welsh TV presenter Gethin Jones asked George if he wanted to see his parents team up on a tandem in the velodrome, the 13-year-old quickly replied ‘no,’ clearly embarrassed by the prospect.
The family of five received a warm welcome from the Welsh athletes and their families as they arrived at Wales House in the centre of Glasgow.
William and Catherine led their children over to speak to identical twin gymnasts Abigail and Emily Roper who won bronze medals within an hour of each other earlier in the week.
They chatted with the athletes and their proud parents for over five minutes, asking about their achievements and how they prepared for the Games.
Catherine asked: ‘And what are you doing? As Charlotte was asking, are you doing a lot of stretching and conditioning?’
They nodded and said they do a mix of both to ensure they’re strong and flexible.
The future Queen then turned to her youngest and said: ‘Louis, you’re perfecting your handstand at the moment.’
‘A bit,’ he said, with his arms crossed, ‘But Charlotte says I’m not very good.’
The Roper twins then asked if Charlotte can do one, and she said ‘yeah’.
When they asked George the same question, he and Catherine laughed as the young prince told them: ‘I’m rubbish at anything that involves flexibility.’
Charlotte then told them that her favourite part of gymnastics is the floor, with her mum adding: ‘Charlotte likes her dancing.’
Overhearing the conversation, William said: ‘She loves gymnastics and ballet.’
Having already learned that the young princess enjoys the sport, the Welsh gymnasts presented her with a Team Wales leotard that has been signed by the athletes.
The family were then asked to update the medal table, as two more gold medals had been won by Team Wales.
Prince Louis took the giant No7 sticker and placed it on the board.
He returned to his father’s side with his head bowed shyly, with William telling him well done and rubbing his back.
William, George, Charlotte and Louis then sat down with Para-athletes Aled Davies, and Olivia Breen, and 400m runner Charlotte Henrich, while mum Catherine stayed talking to the gymnasts.
The children were involved in the conversation, with Louis revealing that he recently participated in his first sports day at school and George telling them that his favourite event is the javelin.
Joining them at the table, Catherine was told: ‘Louis was saying he likes high jump.’
She turned to her son and asked, ‘Louis, you like high jump?’
‘Yeah,’ he replied moodily, prompting several of the athletes to burst out laughing and William joking: ‘That’s news to us!’
