Princess Charlotte is continuing a long-standing family tradition of athleticism, but the young royal appears to be developing a particular passion for a sport that is different from the one her mother, Kate Middleton, excelled in during her school years.

At 11 years old, Charlotte, the daughter of Prince William and Princess Kate, has reportedly joined a competitive traveling netball team. The team is said to participate in tournaments and matches across the country, competing at a high level against other talented young players.

The development has reportedly amused parents whose daughters play against Charlotte’s team. According to a source quoted in reports, some parents have wondered whether they might unexpectedly find themselves playing against Prince William and Kate while attending matches. Unlike major royal engagements, youth sports competitions involve early mornings, lengthy road trips, and parents spending hours on the sidelines—an environment that is considerably more ordinary than the formal events usually associated with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The possibility of seeing William and Kate supporting their daughter at these competitions has reportedly generated plenty of curiosity. Rather than attending an official royal function, the couple would simply be parents cheering from the sidelines, watching their child compete and participating in the same routines experienced by families across the country.

Netball is particularly popular in Britain and across many Commonwealth countries. Although the sport shares similarities with basketball, it has its own distinctive rules and structure. Matches are played between two teams of seven players, with each athlete assigned a specific position and area of the court.

Unlike basketball, netball hoops do not have backboards. Players also cannot run or move while holding the ball and are generally required to pass it within three seconds. These rules place considerable emphasis on teamwork, positioning, quick decision-making, and communication.

Charlotte’s interest in netball is especially notable because her family recently had an opportunity to watch the sport at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. During the family’s visit to the event, Charlotte joined her parents and brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, as they watched some of the tournament’s major matches.

The family reportedly attended a semifinal between Australia and Jamaica, as well as England’s match against New Zealand. The experience would have given Charlotte an opportunity to see some of the world’s best netball players competing at an elite international level.

New Zealand and Jamaica ultimately advanced to the final, where New Zealand secured victory with a 56–48 result. For Charlotte, who is reportedly already passionate about the sport, watching top-level players compete may have provided an especially exciting experience.

Charlotte’s interest in netball is not entirely new. Princess Kate previously revealed that her daughter plays a great deal of the sport during a visit to Wakefield Trinity Rugby Club. Her comments suggested that netball has become one of Charlotte’s favorite physical activities.

Although Charlotte may be following her own sporting path, she clearly appears to have inherited a strong interest in athletics from both of her parents. Princess Kate has long been known for her enthusiasm and ability in sports. During her time at Marlborough College, she excelled at field hockey and served as captain of her school team.

Kate has also remained active in other sports throughout her adult life. Tennis is among the activities she enjoys, and she has more recently spoken about taking up padel. The fast-growing racket sport combines elements of tennis and squash and has become increasingly popular in Britain.

Prince William is equally familiar with competitive sports. During his time at Eton College, he participated in several different athletic activities, including swimming, water polo, and football. His sporting background has helped make him an enthusiastic supporter of his children’s physical interests.

Charlotte’s athletic abilities appear to extend well beyond netball. William and Kate have previously spoken about their daughter taking part in rugby, running, dance, football, gymnastics, and other activities. Her wide range of interests suggests that she enjoys staying active and exploring different forms of sport and exercise.

Gymnastics appears to be another particular favorite. During the family’s visit to the Commonwealth Games, William and Kate met Welsh gymnasts Abigail and Emily Roper at Wales House. While discussing their children’s interests, William proudly mentioned that Charlotte enjoys both gymnastics and ballet.

Princess Kate also revealed that Prince Louis has been developing his own gymnastic abilities. She jokingly pointed out that he had been practicing his handstand. Louis acknowledged that he had been working on it, although he admitted that his sister Charlotte did not think his efforts were particularly impressive.

Charlotte herself demonstrated that she could perform a handstand, highlighting another aspect of her athletic ability. Prince George, meanwhile, took a more self-deprecating approach when discussing physical flexibility, admitting that he was not particularly good at activities requiring it.

The exchange offered a glimpse into the family’s relaxed approach to sport. Despite their royal status, William and Kate appear keen to encourage their children to participate in ordinary childhood activities and develop their own interests. Their conversations about sports often reveal a playful family dynamic rather than the formality typically associated with royal life.

Charlotte has also received encouragement from her father, who has shown himself to be a particularly proud sporting parent. Prince William has occasionally spoken about his children’s athletic achievements while meeting professional athletes and other sporting figures.

During an investiture ceremony in 2025, William reportedly mentioned Charlotte’s running abilities to British middle-distance star Keely Hodgkinson, who had won an Olympic gold medal in Paris. Hodgkinson later recalled that the Prince told her Charlotte had been running the 400 meters and practicing hurdles.

William also reportedly shared that Charlotte had watched Hodgkinson compete at the Paris Olympics. His comments demonstrated how closely he follows his daughter’s sporting interests and how proud he appears to be of her enthusiasm for athletics.

For Charlotte, joining a competitive netball team could represent another step in developing her confidence, teamwork, and sporting skills. Unlike formal royal appearances, participation in a team sport allows her to experience competition alongside other children and learn the importance of cooperation and perseverance.

It also gives her parents an opportunity to support her away from the spotlight of major royal engagements. Watching their daughter compete at tournaments could mean early starts, long drives, and plenty of time spent on the sidelines—experiences shared by countless families with children involved in competitive sport.

Charlotte’s growing interest in netball therefore reflects more than simply another hobby. It highlights the strong sporting culture within the Wales family and demonstrates how William and Kate encourage their children to remain active and pursue their individual passions.

While Princess Kate made her mark in field hockey and enjoys tennis and padel, Charlotte appears to be carving out her own athletic identity through netball, gymnastics, running, dance, and other activities. With encouragement from both parents, she seems to be developing into an energetic and enthusiastic young athlete.

Whether netball ultimately becomes Charlotte’s main sporting passion remains to be seen. For now, however, her reported involvement in competitive netball provides another fascinating glimpse into the everyday interests of one of Britain’s most closely watched young royals—and into the sporty family environment in which she is growing up.