Mouat and Dodds Teach Royal Family the Art of Curling

Olympic medallists Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds transformed from athletes to coaches as they introduced Prince William and Princess Kate to the art of curling on Tuesday (21 January). During a visit to British Curling’s National Curling Academy in Stirling, the royal couple met the Olympians and Paralympians poised to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, before then attempting the sport themselves. Mouat and Dodds, who are set to compete together in the mixed doubles event from 4-10 February, guided The Prince and Princess of Wales through the fundamentals before watching on as the couple squared off in a draw-to-the-button competition, with members of Team GB assisting in the sweeping. “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,” Mouat told the BBC. Supporting British sport: A very royal tradition Curling, which has its roots in 16th-century Scotland, is one of the most successful winter sports for Team GB and ParalympicsGB, with the women’s team currently the reigning Olympic champions. Dodds, who was part of the gold medal-winning side, is due to return to the line-up for Britain’s title defence after competing in the mixed doubles. The British royal family has a well-established relationship with the Olympic Games and the broader sporting landscape. Princess Kate is Royal Patron of several sports institutions, including The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and Rugby Football Union, while Prince William is a Patron of the Football Association. Additionally, William's aunt, Princess Anne, competed in the equestrian three-day event at Montreal 1976, while her daughter Zara Tindall won a silver medal in team eventing at London 2012.