Tuesday 31 July 2012

Duchess of Cambridge and Princes William and Harry watch as Zara and Team GB take silver in the team eventing jumping final


Return of the young Royals: Duchess of Cambridge and Princes William and Harry watch as Zara and Team GB take silver in the team eventing jumping final

  • The Duchess of Cambridge joined Princes William and Harry and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice to cheer on their cousin
  • The Duchess of Cornwall also attended with Zara's mother Princess Anne and her son Peter with his wife Autumn
  • Zara and Team GB took home silver
  • Phillips made an early mistake in her showjumping round, adding to penalties clocked up by Team GB 

The Royal family returned to Greenwich Park today to cheer on the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips as Team GB took home a silver medal in the Eventing Team Jumping final of the three-discipline Olympic equestrian eventing competition.
The Duchess of Cambridge along with Princes William and Harry joined Princess Anne and the Duchess of Cornwall to watch Zara compete.
Zara Phillips and her team mates narrowly missed out on gold in the equestrian eventing today but spectators were still delighted.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Harry cheer and wave as Great Britain's Eventing team arrive to collect their medals during the Individual Eventing Jumping Final
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Harry cheer and wave as Great Britain's Eventing team arrive to collect their medals during the Individual Eventing Jumping Final
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watch the show-jumping stage of the equestrian event at Greenwich Park , London.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watch the show-jumping stage of the equestrian event at Greenwich Park , London.
William and Kate both cheered loudly, waving their hands in the air as it was announced that Zara and her team had taken home the silver medal
Prince William and his wife Catherine celebrate with Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, as Kristina Cook finishes competing in the Jumping Phase of the Eventing competition
Prince William and his wife Catherine celebrate with Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, as Kristina Cook finishes competing in the Jumping Phase of the Eventing competition
Great Britain's Zara Phillips celebrates with her Silver medal during the Team Eventing Medal ceremony on day four of the London Olympic Games as the crowds cheer her on
Great Britain's Zara Phillips celebrates with her Silver medal during the Team Eventing Medal ceremony on day four of the London Olympic Games as the crowds cheer her on
Great Britain's (left to right) Nicola Wilson, Zara Phillips, William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Kristina Cook with their silver medalsl during the Team Eventing Medal ceremony
Great Britain's (left to right) Nicola Wilson, Zara Phillips, William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Kristina Cook with their silver medalsl during the Team Eventing Medal ceremony
Zara Phillips looked delighted as she galloped around Greenwich Park with her silver medal on High Kingdom
Zara Phillips looked delighted as she galloped around Greenwich Park with her silver medal on High Kingdom
Zara Phillips wins a silver medal and gets a hug from her mother Princess Anne for GB in the team event
Zara Phillips wins a silver medal and gets a hug from her mother Princess Anne for GB in the team event
Zara Phillips and her team mates narrowly missed out on gold in the equestrian eventing today but spectators were still delighted.
Phillips made a heartbreaking early mistake in her showjumping round, adding to penalties clocked up by Team GB in the previous three days of competition, which cost them gold.
Nicola Wilson was given a tough score for her dressage on Saturday, while William Fox-Pitt fell prey to time penalties in the cross country yesterday.
Phillips' mother, the Princess Royal, herself a former Olympian, is set to present her daughter with her team medal later today.
The Queen's granddaughter was third up for the British equestrian eventing team this morning.
 
Supporters who had braved gloomy skies in Greenwich, south east London, fell into a hushed silence as she tackled the course, which included jumps featuring a miniature Nelson's column and bright red post boxes.
But they erupted into enthusiastic cheers once she had finished, waving Union flags.
Members of the Royal family turned out again to support her, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry cheering her on.
Harry and William, both wearing white Team GB polo shirts, looked delighted as the Britons secured silver, as did the Duchess, who was wearing a blue and white nautical striped top under the navy £500 Smythe blazer that she wore to yesterday's event.
She accessorized her look with navy wedges and a navy clutch bag from high street brand Russell & Bromley.
The Duchess of Cambridge left the event today carrying an umbrella after some rain showers earlier on. She wore a blue and white stripey top with a navy Smythe blazer, fitted navy jeans and blue cork wedges
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge looks on during the Show Jumping Eventing Equestrian on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park on July 31, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge left the event today carrying an umbrella after some rain showers earlier on. She wore a blue and white stripey top with a navy Smythe blazer, fitted navy jeans and blue cork wedges
Zara's brother Peter Phillips, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry seemed to be enjoying themselves as they laughed together in the stands
Zara's brother Peter Phillips, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry seemed to be enjoying themselves as they laughed together in the stands
William and Kate seemed to be distracted by something up above whilst Harry concentrated on the event. Kate chose the same £500 navy blazer by Smythe as yesterday, this time teaming it with a chic Breton striped top
William and Kate seemed to be distracted by something up above whilst Harry concentrated on the event. Kate chose the same £500 navy blazer by Smythe as yesterday, this time teaming it with a chic Breton striped top
Great Britain's Zara Phillips celebrates with Tina Cook (centre) and Nicola Wilson (left) after they won silver in the Team Eventing Jumping Final on day four of the London Olympic Games at Greenwich Park, London
Great Britain's Zara Phillips celebrates with Tina Cook (centre) and Nicola Wilson (left) after they won silver in the Team Eventing Jumping Final on day four of the London Olympic Games at Greenwich Park, London
Zara Phillips celebrates with her husband Mike Tindall after her team won silver in the Team Eventing Jumping Final on day four of the London Olympic Games
Zara Phillips celebrates with her husband Mike Tindall after her team won silver in the Team Eventing Jumping Final on day four of the London Olympic Games
There were still a small number of empty seats in the arena, even though organisers had sold extra tickets to fill unused spaces.
Team GB began the day in second place after Phillips and her four team mates put in fantastic performances in the cross country yesterday.
A number of riders fell on the tricky course in historic Greenwich Park, but Phillips, Nicola Wilson, Mary King and Kristina Cook all avoided penalties by finishing within a tough time limit.
William Fox-Pitt just missed out when his horse tired towards the end of the course.
Phillips follows in the footsteps of her Olympian parents Princess Anne, who competed in the 1976 games in Montreal, and Mark Phillips, currently the US team's coach, who won medals in 1972 and 1988.
The 31-year-old, who was again watched by her mother today, said the crowd gave her a boost as she competed.
She said: 'It's incredible, it gives you a massive lift as you come into the arena. We're really grateful to everyone who've come here to cheer us on.'
Phillips recovered well after making an initial mistake and knocking a bar down on an early jump on her horse High Kingdom.
She said: 'It was a bit slow in the beginning but after that he got faster, it was my fault, not his. I'm really proud of him.'
Fans at the equestrian event were treated to spectacular views of the capital city taking in the historical Battersea Power Station, the modern towers of the financial district and St Paul's Cathedral
Fans at the equestrian event were treated to spectacular views of the capital city taking in the historical Battersea Power Station, the modern towers of the financial district and St Paul's Cathedral
Kate and William cuddled up during the event but Harry didn't look as bemused as Kate as he sat with arms folded watching his cousin ride around the course
Kate and William cuddled up during the event but Harry didn't look as bemused as Kate as he sat with arms folded watching his cousin ride around the course
There were laughs all round for the young Royals as Kate and William cheered his cousin on in this afternoon's event
There were laughs all round for the young Royals as Kate and William cheered his cousin on in this afternoon's event
Things were tense on the course for 31-year-old Zara Phillips and her team but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked relaxed and happy haring a joke in the crowd
Things were tense on the course for 31-year-old Zara Phillips and her team but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looked relaxed and happy haring a joke in the crowd
The gloomy skies couldn't dampen the couples' spirits as they watched William's cousin Zara and her eventing team push for gold in the in the final day of the equestrian event
The gloomy skies couldn't dampen the couples' spirits as they watched William's cousin Zara and her eventing team push for gold in the in the final day of the equestrian event
She said performing in front of a home crowd did not increase the pressure on her.
'It's the pressure that you put on yourself trying to get the best score you can for your team.'
Yesterday was the first anniversary of her wedding to rugby player Mike Tindall, but when asked if she had had a chance to celebrate, she laughed and said: 'No.'
High Kingdom lost both his front shoes in the cross-country yesterday but recovered well, she said.
'I'm really happy with him to be able to do that today.'
Phillips entered the arena to rapturous applause, quickly followed by silence as she tackled the jumps.
She said: 'It makes the noise of the poles falling even louder.'
Audience members today included former prime minister Sir John Major.
Kate and Harry once again displayed how close they are as they leaned in for a chat and smiled together whilst William watched the horses
Kate and Harry once again displayed how close they are as they leaned in for a chat and smiled together whilst William watched the horses
The couple looked very much in love as they chatted and grinned at each other throughout the afternoon's event. Kate was sporting her trademark tousled locks
The couple looked very much in love as they chatted and grinned at each other throughout the afternoon's event. Kate was sporting her trademark tousled locks
Britain's Zara Phillips and her horse High Kingdom compete in the show-jumping phase of the equestrian, where her team took silver
Britain's Zara Phillips and her horse High Kingdom compete in the show-jumping phase of the equestrian, where her team took silver
Phillips added: 'There was a mistake that we shouldn't have had because he's a good jumper and obviously it's disappointing for a team sport, but generally I'm really happy with him.'
When asked if the competition had been an emotional experience for her, she joked: 'It's like an emotional rollercoaster.'
Family members have come to support her every day of the eventing.
She said: 'It's nice that they've managed to come and watch.'
Fox-Pitt's wife Alice, who works as a racing journalist under her maiden name Plunkett, watched with her five-year-old son Thomas and gave a massive cheer as Tina Cook completed her round, bringing Team GB their silver medal.
She said her husband was 'ecstatic' with the result.
'Gold was there for the taking, obviously it's really disappointing that they didn't get it,' she said.
'It is not Zara's fault there were little mistakes. It's a team, it isn't about one person. William's time faults yesterday were expensive, there's a whole host of reasons - it's never down to one person.'
Mrs Fox-Pitt said the team was still 'thrilled' with their silver, adding: 'Obviously there's still the individual medals to play for.'
The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips competing on High Kingdom to rapturous applause from the crowd during the Team Eventing Jumping Final on day four of the London Olympic Games at Greenwich Park
The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips competing on High Kingdom to rapturous applause from the crowd during the Team Eventing Jumping Final on day four of the London Olympic Games at Greenwich Park
Zara Phillips
Resounding cheers from the Greenwich crowd left Zara visibly moved
Zara Phillips
The emotional Royal wipes away a tear after giving her all in the event
The Duchess of Cornwall and Zara's proud mother Princess Anne arrive to watch the Team Eventing Jumping Final. Camilla wore a rain mac in anticiption of heavy skies while Anne supported Team GB in style in branded accessories
The Duchess of Cornwall and Zara's proud mother Princess Anne arrive to watch the Team Eventing Jumping Final. Camilla wore a rain mac in anticiption of heavy skies while Anne supported Team GB in style in branded accessories
In the stands William and Harry both looked smart, with William donning a white shirt under a grey blazer and Harry also wearing a white collared shirt.
Kate and William showed their support to Team GB by wearing a gold and red Team GB badge fastened onto their blazers.
The three young Royals laughed and joked together as they watched the event.
Zara's mother Princess Anne sat with Camilla as they watched the riders gallop around the course.
Anne looked extremely patriotic donning a Team GB bag and two Olympic pins on her navy blazer.
Alongside the family, Zara's brother Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn watched on, both wearing full team GB gear, with matching hats.
The Queen's granddaughter is one of five members of the team, who went into the final day of the competition in second place.
The 31-year-old  scored a penalty-free ride through the treacherous cross-country event yesterday, negotiating her horse, High Kingdom, over 28 obstacles and a slippery course that claimed a dozen fallen riders.
Bea and Eugenie showed their support for the second day running but today they didn't sit with their cousins and took a seat behind their mother and Camilla
Bea and Eugenie showed their support for the second day running but today they didn't sit with their cousins and took a seat behind their mother and Camilla
Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York come and have a chat with the other young Royal family members at the event
Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York come and have a chat with the other young Royal family members at the event
Zara's brother and William lookalike Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn were also there to cheer on the team as they rode for gold, dressed patriotically in Team GB fleeces and caps
Zara's brother and William lookalike Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn were also there to cheer on the team as they rode for gold, dressed patriotically in Team GB fleeces and caps


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2181493/Duchess-Cambridge-Princes-William-Harry-watch-Zara-Phillips-Team-GB-silver-team-eventing-jumping-final.html#ixzz22Er5cLQo