Kate Middleton Defeats Prince William in New Zealand Yacht Race

Josh Duboff


Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton

In 2011, during their Canada tour, Prince William and Kate Middleton duked it out on the water in a dragon-boat race, which William won handily. We like to imagine this became something of an inside joke between the couple. ("Did you take a dragon boat here, dear?" William says to Kate, with a smirk, when Kate shows up 15 minutes late to dinner.)


SEE MORE: The Most Adorable Pictures of Prince George on the Australia/New Zealand Royal Tour

Today in New Zealand, however, there was a rematch of sorts, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge participated in a yacht race in Auckland at the home of New Zealand America's Cup team. Kate clearly meant business, as she was wearing the same outfit (Me + Em Breton-style top, skinny jeans) she wore both on the volleyball court last October, and to the Olympic Games in 2012. (Evidently, this is her go-to "I'm participating in something athletic!" ensemble.)

This time around, Kate defeated William two times (!) on the water, giving him a "cheeky victory salute," per the Daily Mail, as she careened past him to return back to the harbor. At the beginning of the race, Kate reportedly patted William on the back and said, "Take care!" to which he responded, "Yeah, see you later." When they came in at the end, William claimed his yacht was "sabotaged," and then, when told Kate was beaming in the wake of her victory, he said, "I bet she is! Selfless husband! I wanted a quiet night."


SEE MORE: All of Kate Middleton's Looks on the Australia/New Zealand Tour

"George, it turns out Mommy is the best sailor in the family," Kate will no doubt coo to the young prince tonight.

"Well, you know, I've heard that dragon boats are much more difficult to-" William attempts.

"Remember the bet, sweetheart! If I won, you were never allowed to mention dragon boats again . . . "

William smiles. "You know, I saw you sweating out there today. Don't act like it was so easy!"

"Oh, c'mon, babe," Kate laughs. "Everyone knows Kate Middleton has never sweat in her life."


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