Kate Middleton Shows Off Her Sailing Skills, Wins Praise For Recycling Outfits [Video]


Kate Middleton set out on the open sea as she visited Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie’s charity, the 1851 Trust, which encourages young people to try out the sport of sailing and become more involved in science, technology, and math. Appearing at the event wearing a dress she’s been photographed in twice before Kate also garnered applause for getting the most out of her clothes, unlike other royal celebrities.

Middleton is a patron of the 1851 Trust and spent Friday speaking to kids and teenagers interested in sailing. She also helped launch the grand opening of the new Tech Deck Education Centre, which will showcase sailing’s innovation, technology, and sustainability.

According to Sir Ben Ainslie, a “lot of work has gone into developing the facility for young people and we hope to inspire more young people to consider opportunities and careers within Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects and the marine sector in future.” At the event, Kate showed off her sailing skills and met with children who are interested in the sport.

Speaking with People, 15-year-old Ashley said that it was “amazing” to meet Middleton, adding that Kate “asked us if we had ever been sailing, whether we were going to be sailing, she asked us if we enjoy sport and are we looking forward to it.” Middleton confessed that she “enjoyed sailing” and encouraged the children to “definitely have a go.” In fact, Kate told the children that she’d “really like to get out on the water more.”

Chris Frisby, the head of the United Kingdom’s Sailing Academy, mentioned that the children “definitely look up” to Kate, revealing that the Duchess of Cambridge “would rather speak to the kids than the adults. It’s great for them to meet her and hear about her sailing and she’s done and where she’s sailed before.”

Kate put her money where her mouth is and didn’t just meet the kids — she also showed off her sailing skills to inspire the youth around her! Donning practical sporting apparel along with sensible sneakers, Kate tested the water with Sir Ben Ainslie aboard the British sailing team’s boat T1, steering the boat out onto the team’s practice race course.

“It was fantastic to take our royal patron onboard T1 during our training session on the Solent today,” Sir Ben Ainslie told reporters, adding that it was “also great to have the Duchess’s support with opening the team’s new Tech Deck and education centre.”

In her youth, Kate was an avid sailor, and the Duchess and her husband used to enjoy sailing in Anglesey, north Wales, where they lived for the first three years of marriage. Middleton has shown off her sea legs many times, and during a 2011 trip to Canada, Middleton bested her husband, Prince William, in a friendly sailing competition between the two notoriously competitive royals. Not only that, but Middleton repeated her win during an April 2014 trip to New Zealand, where she again showed William that she’s the better sailor!

Kate also won praise from reporters for wearing a nautical-inspired Alexander McQueen outfit that features a sailor-style white and navy blue blouse with a navy blue pencil-line skirt. First wearing the outfit in August 2011, Kate Middleton was spotted again in the sea-inspired look during a 2014 trip to Bletchley, England.

Although most celebrities usually want to be photographed in a different outfit every time they step out, Kate Middleton has recycled the outfit to much applause, pairing the look with blue suede heels and a navy clutch.

It’s not the first time that Middleton has recycled outfits, and she recently appeared in a pink Alexander McQueen dress at the Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibition. Middleton had previously worn the dress two years ago during a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand.

What do you think? Should Kate Middleton be lauded for recycling outfits? Leave a comment below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgbDW8fmlxo

[Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images]

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