There are a few things Kate Middleton can't do. Thanks to royal family protocol, she can't vote or play Monopoly or regularly enjoy seafood. But there are a great many things that she can do that most regular people could never accomplish. One of the biggest is that Kate can play sports while wearing super high heels.
The Princess of Wales has been spotted doing everything from kicking a soccer ball to running on the beach to playing tennis while wearing heels, and we are seriously so impressed. But we'd expect nothing less from the woman who births her babies and then comes down the hospital steps in sky-high pumps just hours later.
In recent years, Kate has expanded her shoe collection a bit to include sneakers for some of her more athletic events. But she's already proven that she could do it all in heels if she wanted.
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Hitting the Field
Kate used to play field hockey when she was in school, so she was right at home on the grass during a trip to St. Andrews in 2012. Sure, she may have been wearing heeled boots while the other players wore cleats, but she was able to keep up with everyone else just fine.
Pitching a Tent
Kate didn't grow up royal, so she's used to doing things herself. On this occasion, she helped set up a tent for a children's sporting event in 2012. Never mind that she was dressed to the nines as she was scheduled to meet with the Queen later that day. She was more than happy to lend a helping hand — fascinator, dress, heels, and all.
Hitting a Volleyball
During this Sportsaid Athlete Workshop in 2013, most people were focused on how Kate had already gotten her abs back mere months after giving birth to Prince George. But it's also worth noting that she was playing volleyball in wedges. And she wasn't phoning it in either — she was determined to score a point.
Running on the Beach
It's hard enough to run in sand as it is, not to mention running in sand while wearing tall wedges. But that's exactly what the princess did on a trip to Manly Beach in Australia in 2014. She was there to watch an ocean safety demonstration and apparently couldn't resist doing her best Baywatch run. Move over, David Hasselhoff!
Rugby Time
Kate's husband, Prince William, used to play rugby, and she couldn't resist picking up a rugby ball herself on a trip to Paris in 2017. She looks pretty at home with the ball and was ready to toss it, even though she was in a dress and heels. Fashion has never stopped Kate from having fun.
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Playing Tennis …
The Princess of Wales is a big tennis fan, and she can be spotted in the crowd at Wimbledon every year. But she also likes to play the sport — no matter her attire. She joined some kids during a 2018 Coach Core Essex apprenticeship program to show them a thing or two about the game. She was wearing heeled boots at the event, but that didn't stop her.
… And Table Tennis
Kate's great with a racket or paddle of any kind, whether it's for lawn tennis or table tennis. She gave William a run for his money when she battled him in table tennis at a 2013 event in Scotland. She did that while in a coatdress and heeled boots on a slippery gym floor, no less.
Shooting Hoops
At the same event, Kate also gave basketball a try after she finished with table tennis. She and William were in Scotland ahead of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and the royal mom simply couldn't resist trying out some of the sports for herself. Basketball may not be a huge game in the UK, but she looked great holding that ball while in her heeled boots. They might as well have been sneakers.
Jumping Over Things
When it came time for the Commonwealth Games to begin, Kate returned to Scotland. While there, she tried her hand at another event — three tins, which is a traditional South African game. As part of the challenge, players have to stack three tins and jump over them. Kate did this, while in wedges, like a total pro.
Lawn Bowling
Another way players have to knock over the tins in three tins is by rolling a ball at them — kind of like lawn bowling. The princess was more than willing to crouch down in her fitted dress and wedges and play with everyone. Kate never lets anything stand in her way of participating in the events she attends.
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Shoveling Dirt
While on a tour of Australia, Kate helped plant a tree at National Arboretum Canberra. William just looked on while his wife got down to business. She made shoveling dirt while wearing a pair of nude pumps look like no big deal. This woman really can do it all, and in heels, no less. William should be proud of his wife.
Hiking in Heels
During that same Australia trip, William and Kate checked out Narrow Neck Lookout in Katoomba's Blue Mountain region. Look closely to see that Kate appears to have hiked this trail in a pair of wedges. Then she stood precariously to peer over the ledge at the rock climbers. She's bold, that's for sure.
On the Cricket Pitch
Cricket is a popular sport in many of the Commonwealth countries. Kate's learned how to play it so she can join in with people on their royal tours. She's pictured playing here in India during a 2016 trip. Despite her dress and wedges, she had no problem whacking the ball with her bat. Look at that level of concentration!
A Game of Darts
Speaking of royal tours, when William and Kate visited Bhutan in 2016, they dove right into some local sporting activities. Among them was dart throwing, which Kate totally got the hang of despite playing in pumps and a long skirt. She also seemed to have a lot of fun during the demonstration, which is what matters most.
Channeling Her Inner Katniss Everdeen
On that Bhutan trip, Kate also got to shoot a bow and arrow (with some help from William). Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games may be great with this weapon, but there's no way she could shoot in heels like Kate did. That requires a whole other skill level that few people possess.
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Kicking a Soccer Ball
She may call it football and we may call it soccer, but whatever the name, it's seriously impressive to watch Kate kick a ball around with wedges on. It's not like anyone told her to, either. She's at an event with a bunch of people in suits, but she couldn't resist having some fun on the field.
Helping Out With Hockey
Kate couldn't visit Canada and not be involved in a hockey match somehow. After all, it's the national sport! While touring the country in 2011, she threw out a puck for two awaiting players. She probably would have been the one with the hockey stick if she could have had her way — stilettos and all.
Tossing a Ball …
The Princess of Wales isn't just good at throwing hockey pucks; she can also throw a cricket ball with the best of them. A few years ago, she was in New Zealand for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, and she got a chance to play. She tried her hand at using the bat and the ball, even though she was wearing a pair of black high heels.
… And a Boot
One of the weirdest things Kate has ever thrown while wearing heels is a rain boot. It's called "welly wanging," and the goal is simple: Throw a Wellington boot the farthest in order to win. The Princess of Wales tried her hand at the "sport" during a charity event in 2015. Who can resist such a fun and silly challenge?
Mom Mode
There's nothing that forces a person to be athletic in any outfit like being a mom. Kate may have showed up to this polo event in a nice sundress and wedges, but when she needed to literally chase after her kids, it didn't matter what she was wearing. She charged down that hill like she had hiking boots on, not heels.
In It To Win It
One of the reasons we love Kate so much is that she's always been so competitive, and she's not going to take it easy on anyone, her husband included! Kate made William eat her dust during a stationary cycling race in February 2023, while wearing both heels and a skirt.
