A beaming Princess of Wales has sent an emotional message to British Olympians ahead of the end of the Paris Olympic Games, which will formally close tonight.
Kate, who continues to undergo preventative chemotherapy, looked radiant in her latest appearance in a special video filmed for Team GB which featured a host of high-profile figures.
Prince William stood by her side in the Instagram video and sported an unusually rugged look, sporting an unshaven appearance.
In the short clip, Kate said: “From all of us watching at home, congratulations to Team GB.”
The Prince of Wales, wearing an official blue Team GB shirt, added briefly: “Well done Team GB, you have been an inspiration to us all.”
A beaming Princess of Wales has sent a heartfelt message to British Olympians ahead of the end of the Paris Olympic Games, which will formally close tonight.
Former England captain and football icon David Beckham also appears in the social media video and said: ‘Hey Team Great Britain, we are so proud of you, congratulations.’
Presenter Gabby Logan said Team GB had been “amazing” and had created “memories that will last a lifetime”.
Rapper Snoop Dogg, who has been presenting for US broadcaster NBC at the Olympics, also appears in the star-studded video.
The royal couple’s positive message came just minutes after an emotional statement by King Charles III, in which he called all Olympic athletes “an inspiration.”
The monarch congratulated the winners for their “outstanding successes” and He highlighted her “raw talent, her true courage and her hard work” in the message, which came just hours before the final moments of the Olympic Games in the French capital.
A glittering closing ceremony will take place at the Stade de France at 9pm (20:00 BST).
In his full statement he said:My wife joins me in sending our warmest congratulations to the competitors and their support teams from Team Great Britain and across the Commonwealth on their many outstanding successes at the Olympic Games in Paris.
‘Their achievements, in so many disciplines, were forged from that invaluable combination of raw talent, true courage and hard work over many years, polished in recent weeks by sportsmanship and team spirit in the best tradition of the Games.
The King has called all Olympic athletes “an inspiration” and congratulated them for their “extraordinary successes” in an emotional message sent on the occasion of the closing of the Paris Olympic Games
The monarch’s message was sent just hours after Emily Campbell celebrated a bronze medal in the women’s over 81kg weightlifting event on the final day of competition.
Team GB’s Amber Anning, Victoria Ohuruogu, Nicole Yeargin and Laviai Nielsen celebrate bronze in the women’s 4x400m final on Saturday
‘Those who missed out on the greatest prizes have certainly not lacked the pride that you too have generated for your nations.
“As we thank France for hosting such a wonderful tournament and look ahead to the Paralympic Games ahead, I can only say that you have all been an inspiration.”
In the video featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales, former England captain and football icon David Beckham said: “Hello Team GB, we are so proud of you, congratulations.”
Presenter Gabby Logan said: “You’ve been amazing. Thank you so much for everything. These memories will last a long time.”
Great Britain finished the Paris Olympics with 65 medals, the same number won at London 2012 and the nation’s second-highest tally on foreign soil.
They came in third place, behind the United States (126) and China (91).
But the British team won eight fewer gold medals than in Tokyo three years ago and fell 13 short of the 27 they won at Rio 2016.
A final tally of 14 golds, 22 silvers and 29 bronzes saw Britain drop to seventh in the medals table, its lowest position since finishing 10th at Athens 2004, and the third-best European nation behind hosts France and the Netherlands.
Traditional Olympic sports such as athletics, cycling and swimming returned medals, while rowing banished its Tokyo nightmare to win three golds in a strong race.
But newer sports such as skateboarding, taekwondo and trampolining also enjoyed success, while the British team won its first medals in sport climbing.
However, the British team has no time to rest: it has already begun planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, ensuring that Stanford University will be its exclusive preparation camp.
A star-studded spectacle will bring the two-week sporting extravaganza to a close on Sunday night.
Hollywood action star Tom Cruise is expected to bring a dramatic end to the 2024 Paris Olympics, which have been hailed as a huge success despite torrential rain and a chaotic start.
The move across the Atlantic will feature live performances from pop superstar Billie Eilish, Los Angeles rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg.
Hollywood action star Tom Cruise is expected to bring a dramatic finale to the 2024 Paris Olympics
The Mission: Impossible star prepares to rappel down to the Stade de France stadium to collect the five-ringed Olympic flag and take it to Los Angeles, host of the 2028 Games.
The move across the Atlantic will feature live performances from pop superstar Billie Eilish, Los Angeles rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg.
The legendary rapper’s regular appearance has been praised by Olympic chiefs for helping to present the Games to a record audience of half the world’s population.
The Mission: Impossible star prepares to rappel down to the Stade de France stadium to collect the five-ringed Olympic flag and take it to Los Angeles.
Tight security measures around the closing ceremony of the Stade de France stadium, Saint-Denis, France
Billie Eilish to perform in Los Angeles as torch is passed
