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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Russell Myers & Jennifer Newton

Kate Middleton's cheeky quip as she takes on abseiling challenge with Prince William

The Prince and Princess of Wales have enjoyed an action-packed afternoon of abseiling on a trip to South Wales - and Kate couldn't resist a cheeky quip.

William and Kate headed to the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil before they socialise with climbers and community members at the nearby Dowlais Rugby Club.

The volunteer-run organisation, which covers the central area of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park including Pen y Fan, is celebrating its 60th birthday.

To mark the milestone, William and Kate dressed casually in jeans, walking boots and matching red jackets, with the princess in a cap, as they tried their hand at abseiling down a quarry.

Kate shows off her abseiling skills (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Before heading over the edge Kate, who had her hair tied in a ponytail, was heard telling William: "We're not racing."

The heir to the throne led the way over the edge after teasing Kate, saying: "Come on then are we going to abseil or stand around talking."

Asked if he had done it before, he replied: "It's been a while."

Kate and William then took part in a mock rescue with Kate venturing out with a team to save a pretend casualty who had slipped on rocks.

She was tasked with radioing in for help and medical supplies to her husband in the incident control van. Kate said: "Have you got everything on the list?"

The royal couple look up at what they abseiled down (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

She laughed and added: "It's like calling him about the weekly shopping." The regal pair then helped carry the casualty back to the team’s van around 200 yards away.

Ironically one member of the watching press park managed to cut their ankle on a sharp rock and needed real life first aid. The woman who was bleeding needed a bandage around her ankle.

William spotted it and shouted over to her: "Are you ok? At least it's the right place to do it."

The couple were also introduced to two former mountain rescuers, Bob Thomas and Nick Richards, who had helped with the Aberfan school tragedy in October 1966. William said: "It must have been terrifying.

The couple help to rescue the mock casualty (Getty Images)

"My gran told me many times she visited."

Bob, 75, told the Prince of Wales: "Your family did the right thing as they didn’t visit for a week and it would have been a distraction."

Bob added afterwards: "It’s very very nice indeed they've taken the time and trouble to come."

William and Kate will later dry off and socialise with the climbers at the nearby Dowlais Rugby Club. The club, which is a feeder club to Cardiff Blues, is a popular spot where the climbers socialise and relax when they are off duty.

The royal couple dressed in outdoor gear (PA)

They will also meet the owners of the Little Dragon Pizza Van, which draws people from across the country to try its food.

At the club they will get a chance to speak to individual volunteers, the organisation’s supporters and members of the local community.

After spending some time there they will meet more members of the public outside. The royal couple will be staying in a local bed and breakfast this evening.

Both William and Kate have headed to Wales on many engagements recently since they were handed new titles of Prince and Princess of Wales in the aftermath of the late Queen's death.

The royal couple pat one of the search dogs (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
William and Kate are on a two-day visit to Wales (Getty Images)

However, it was previously reported that William will not have a lavish investiture ceremony as the Prince of Wales like his father King Charles had.

The elaborate ceremony traditionally sees the monarch present the Prince of Wales with the symbols associated with their title: the sword, coronet, ring, rod and mantle.

A royal source said there were "no plans for any kind of an investiture like the Prince’s father had".

“Right now the Prince and Princess of Wales are focused on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time," they added.

William and Kate with members of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team (PA)

William and Kate's Welsh outing came as the King presented his first regimental colours as sovereign and spoke of his "gratitude" to the "talented men and women" in armed services.

Charles, 74, in his Field Marshal uniform, presented the Standard of the Lifeguards to the Lifeguards of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at Buckingham Palace Quadrangle.

State trumpeters wearing new golden tunics emblazoned with King's new cipher were seen for the first time. After prayers were read and Standard consecrated the King stepped forward to touch the fabric.

The team is celebrating its 60th anniversary (PA)

He then presented colours to the Royal Navy, King's Company of the Grenadier Guards and King's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force in the palace garden.

It marked the first Colours presentation at which all three Services of the Armed Forces have been represented.

Each time he walked forward and gently pushed the flagpole on which the Colours were attached from a 90 degree angle so they flew up straight.

The King at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace today (PA)
Camilla joined Charles for the ceremony (PA)

While Colours are renewed every ten or twelve years, the Royal Standard of the Grenadier Guards is a personal gift of the Sovereign and presented once during a reign.

The King was joined in the garden by Queen Consort Camilla, who is the Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards.

The national anthem was played on four occasions and the King and Queen later left in an open-top carriage down The Mall to the surprise and delight of tourists filling London ahead of next week's Coronation.

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