The Prince and Princess of Wales made a family day of it at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, bringing their children along to watch what turned out to be one of the most gripping netball matches of the tournament.
William and Kate took their seats at the SECC arena in Glasgow alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, treating the young royals to a front-row seat at the kind of sporting drama that you genuinely could not have scripted.
The match lived up to the occasion in a big way. Netball at Commonwealth level is no gentle affair, and the game on show gave the royal family plenty to get excited about, with the contest going right down to the wire in front of a packed and vocal crowd.
Glasgow has thrown itself into hosting the Games with real enthusiasm, and the atmosphere inside venues across the city has been electric throughout. The netball arena was no different, with fans from multiple nations making plenty of noise and creating the kind of occasion that makes the Commonwealth Games worth watching.
For the younger members of the royal party, it was a chance to experience top-level sport in a live setting, and by all accounts the children were fully engaged with the action unfolding in front of them. It is hard to imagine a better introduction to the Games than a genuine thriller.
William and Kate have been visible presences at the Glasgow Games, using their attendance to shine a spotlight on sports and athletes that do not always get the mainstream coverage they deserve. Netball in particular has been building its profile across the UK, and matches like this one go a long way toward winning over new fans.
Glasgow 2014 has been widely praised as a successful and well-organised Games, with the city embracing the event and crowds turning out in strong numbers across a wide range of sports. The royal visit added another layer of occasion to what was already shaping up to be a memorable tournament.