The British Royal Family’s Viral Olympic Moments—and Who’s Expected at the Paris Olympics
The Olympics are finally here! As the 2024 Paris Olympics get underway, we’re revisiting some of the British royal family’s viral moments from the games over the years. Plus, a royal historian shares which British royals are likely to show up in Paris, France, to cheer on Team GB (Great Britain).
Royals at the Olympics: Prince William and Kate Middleton’s viral PDA
Maybe the public’s excitement surrounding their 2011 royal wedding hadn’t died down yet. Or that public displays of affection were—and still are—few and far between. Whatever the reason, Prince William and Kate Middleton went viral for celebrating at the London 2012 Olympic Games with a hug.
On Day 6 of the Olympics, Aug. 12, 2012, the now-Prince and Princess of Wales were seen embracing in the stands after a Team GB win. (Prince Harry and Princess Anne’s husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, were also there.)
In the years since William and Kate had more viral PDA moments, from the 2023 BAFTAs red carpet to the polo field. However, this particular moment from the Olympics remains a viral moment for the couple and the royal family.
Royals at the Olympics: Queen Elizabeth teamed up with James Bond
To open the aforementioned London 2012 Olympics, the late Queen Elizabeth II did something she’d never done before: jump out of a helicopter. Well, a look-alike did that part. The queen did, however, film a special introduction alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig to kick off the games.
The video, seen above, showed Craig’s Bond meeting the queen—and her beloved corgis—at Buckingham Palace. They then boarded a helicopter and rode through London to the Olympic Stadium, where Craig and the queen look-alike jumped out and landed in the stadium.
After the video ended, Queen Elizabeth took her seat wearing the same outfit from the clip as the crowd gave her a standing ovation. The whole thing came as a surprise to the queen’s relatives.
“I remember certain expletives coming out of my mouth when I realized what was going on,” William said in Elizabeth at 90—A Family Tribute, calling it a “very well-kept secret.”
Meanwhile, the video’s co-writer revealed after the queen’s death she’d added the “Good evening, Mr. Bond” line after telling director Danny Boyle she “should have a line.”
British royals at the 2024 Paris Olympics
At the time of writing, no British royals’ attendance at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, has been confirmed. According to royal historian Marlene Koenig, if any royals go to the games, they’ll likely make appearances toward the end if Team GB makes it to the finals (via Time).
Furthermore, if they attend—and it’s a big if at this point—there will likely be no announcement beforehand in an effort to keep attention on the games.
So, who’s most likely to be at the 2024 Paris Olympics? Koenig expects to see the Princess Royal there at some point because she’s President of the British Olympic Association and an International Olympic Committee member. “That’s Princess Anne’s job; she’s the cheerleader,” the royal historian said.
Anne’s attendance is, the outlet noted, “up in the air” because of her June 2024 hospitalization after sustaining a concussion and minor injuries following a kick to the head by a horse at her Gatcombe Park home.
Whether or not royals ultimately go to the games, Team GB winners can likely expect to hear from them, which has been standard practice for the sovereign in the past.
The 2024 Summer Olympics end on Aug. 11, 2024.
