Duchess of Cambridge shows off her tennis skills in Essex

The Duchess of Cambridge at Basildon Sporting Village (Getty)
The Duchess of Cambridge at Basildon Sporting Village (Getty)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to Basildon Sporting Village in Essex, on Tuesday, to learn how one of their projects is inspiring a community with sport.

Kate and William met apprentices and graduates from the Coach Core programme, and joined in with some of their coaching sessions, including tennis.

The Duchess, dressed in a grey check Smythe blazer, a black roll neck and skinny jeans, is renowned for her love of sport.

Kate and William also went head-to-head during a game of Boccia (a seated sport, similar to bowls) but the match ended in a tie.

Kate joins in with a tennis coaching session (PA)
Kate joins in with a tennis coaching session (PA)

The couple stopped to chat with locals, as they arrived at the leisure centre.

Teacher Laura de Rozario, 45 and her sister Lindsey Freud, 47, were among those, who spoke to the Duchess and gave her a bouquet of flowers.

Laura said: “I gave Kate three children’s books for George, Charlotte and Louis, one of which is called ‘I love you, Blue Kangaroo’.

“My daughter is now 17 but it was one of her favourite books when she was young.

“Kate seemed really appreciative and told me that George and Charlotte love reading.”

William and Kate go head-to-head during a game of Boccia (PA)
William and Kate go head-to-head during a game of Boccia (PA)

Coach Core Essex has been running for almost three years, showing growth and building strong partnerships with local organisations year after year. Two of which are Sport for Confidence and South Essex Gym Club.

Coach Core was created by The Royal Foundation in 2012 to inspire young people who are not in education or employment through sport, and create the next generation of sports coaches who will themselves go on to inspire their communities for many more generations to come.

The Duchess returned from maternity leave earlier this month, after giving birth to Prince Louis in April.

She and William joined the Queen and Prince Charles at the Netherlands State Banquet last week, where Kate wore a blue Alexander McQueen dress and Princess Diana’s Lover’s Knot tiara.

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