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Royal News

Prince William reveals why he had to miss cheering on Team GB at the Paris Olympics

The Prince of Wales has revealed he was keen to get to this summer’s Olympics to cheer on Team GB but decided to stay home, to protect his wife’s health.

Prince William said he had wanted to get to Paris to show his support for the athletes but was worried he might get Covid while he was there. At the time of the Olympics, the Princess of Wales was still undergoing chemotherapy and her husband was worried he could impact her treatment by bringing home an illness.

William made the revelation while discussing the importance of swimming with one of Team GB’s most famous aquatic stars, Adam Peaty.

The two were at Birtley Community Pool in Tyne and Wear to highlight the importance of swimming lessons for children and young people.

Although swimming is part of the curriculum for primary school children, access to pools is limited. One in three children leave primary education unable to swim.

The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales also announced a partnership with Birtley to provide swimming lessons and life saving training. It will help 16,000 people, including over 6,000 youngsters, to take part in swimming activities every month.

As well as providing vital skills, it will also encourage children to enjoy swimming.

Team GB’s swimming stars enjoyed another hugely successful Olympics, bringing back four silvers and one gold.

The Paris Olympics were a big hit with royals from around Europe with many sending multiple members of their regal families to cheer on stars. In the end, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh all made long visits to the Games to support Team GB.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.