The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Scotland's National Curling Academy in Stirling on January 20, 2026, where they tried the sport for the first time and met Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes ahead of the Winter Olympics. In a light-hearted competition, Kate emerged victorious over William despite an initial slip on the ice. The event highlighted curling's Scottish roots and the teams' successes.
On January 20, 2026, the Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, kicked off a series of engagements with a visit to the National Curling Academy at The Peak in Stirling. The royal couple met members of Team GB and Paralympics GB curling teams, offering well-wishes ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy, scheduled for the following month.
Curling, a sport originating in 16th-century Scotland, involves sliding stones across ice toward a target area. It has proven one of Britain's most successful winter disciplines, with Team GB securing six Olympic medals and Paralympics GB earning two to date. The academy, opened in August 2017 before the PyeongChang Olympics, provides year-round access to high-quality ice, transforming training for British athletes. In Beijing 2022, the teams won gold and silver, the only podium finishes for Team GB.
Eager to participate, William and Kate received a demonstration from skips Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds on pushing off from the hack and using slippery soles for delivery. William went first, confidently sliding his stone to the outer ring with help from sweepers Grant Hardie and Rebecca Morrison. Kate, dressed in a tailored blue check coat and skirt, hesitated briefly before attempting her throw. She slipped initially, forgetting to release the stone, but regrouped for a head-to-head challenge.
With sweepers assisting, Kate's stone landed closest to the button, prompting a fist pump and high-five with Dodds, a Beijing gold medallist. William clapped supportively. Afterwards, the couple shared their experience with locals and children, noting, “It’s harder than it looks.”
Bruce Mouat, skip of the men's team and mixed doubles, praised the visit: “It was wonderful, really nice that they came to wish us good luck for the next month we are about to embark on, both of them were lovely and willing to curl.” He added, “They said they would be watching the games, which means a lot to us.”
The royals also engaged with wheelchair curling athletes, learning adaptations like no sweepers. They greeted crowds, posed for selfies, and discussed the sport's challenges. This visit underscored the couple's enthusiasm for sports and support for Olympic preparation, blending royal duty with playful rivalry.